Diageo/Hotline: Doubling Up
Barack Obama/Joe Biden took their largest lead in the Diageo/Hotline tracking poll yet; the Dems now lead John McCain/Sarah Palin 49-42%. Previously, they led 47-43% in yesterday's release.
In addition to marking their largest overall advantage, Obama/Biden more than doubled their lead among Inds to a record 22%. On 9/24, they led Inds by 10%; as recently as 9/22, they led them by just 3%.
The Dem ticket also took their first lead among men since 9/16 and have now led women by double-digits in five consecutive surveys.
A record 60% of RVs now feel the economy is the most important issue facing the U.S., while just 10% believe the U.S. is headed in the right direction.
Today's survey, conducted 9/23-25 by FD, surveyed 913 RVs and has a margin of error of +/- 3.2%. Party ID breakdown for the sample is 41%D, 36%R, 19%I.
More information can be found at Diageo/Hotline and, for subscribers, in today's Hotline.
(MATTHEW GOTTLIEB)
CNN:
Palin should step down, conservative commentator says
Prominent conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, an early supporter of Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin, said Friday recent interviews have shown the Alaska governor is "out of her league" and should leave the GOP presidential ticket for the good of the party.
[...]
It was fun while it lasted," Parker writes. "Palin’s recent interviews with Charles Gibson, Sean Hannity, and now Katie Couric have all revealed an attractive, earnest, confident candidate. Who is clearly out of her league."
[...]
“If BS were currency, Palin could bail out Wall Street herself," Parker also writes. "If Palin were a man, we’d all be guffawing, just as we do every time Joe Biden tickles the back of his throat with his toes. But because she’s a woman — and the first ever on a Republican presidential ticket — we are reluctant to say what is painfully true."
Parker, who praised McCain's "keen judgment" for picking Palin earlier this month and wrote the Alaska governor is a "perfect storm of God, Mom and apple pie," now says Palin should step down from the ticket.
“Only Palin can save McCain, her party, and the country she loves," Parker writes. She can bow out for personal reasons, perhaps because she wants to spend more time with her newborn. No one would criticize a mother who puts her family first. Do it for your country."
politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/26/palin-should-step-down-conservative-commentator-says/