Poll Shows McCain In 5-Point Lead Over Obama

by John Whitesides - August 20th, 2008 - Reuters

In a sharp turnaround, Republican John McCain has opened a 5-point lead on Democrat Barack Obama in the U.S. presidential race and is seen as a stronger manager of the economy, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

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Obama had opposed new offshore drilling, but said recently he would support a limited expansion as part of a comprehensive energy program . . .

"That hairline difference between nuance and what appears to be flip-flopping is hurting him with liberal voters," Zogby said.

Obama's strength in the extreme left wing of politics is the only area where he has not seen erosion in support. It is interesting that the issue of Ayers is starting to get traction in some secondary media areas. The perception of Obama as a truly radical extremist is the one sure point of attack that will lead to a landslide for McCain if it becomes the common perception.

McCain's advisors have not brought up this issue because it is said to be high risk. Yet more and more articles are coming out addressing Obama's extremist and Marxist views, connection to Bill Ayers [The Weathermen bomber], etc. To have a McCain lead without these issues even getting mainstream coverage is something of a surprise to me.

I have been predicting an Obama victory until now. Could I be wrong? Could his extremist views actually be brought out into the open? McCain leading is an interesting development.