Diageo/Hotline: Stuck Ind. The Middle With You
In the latest Diageo/Hotline tracking poll, Barack Obama/Joe Biden lead John McCain/Sarah Palin 48-43%. Yesterday, Obama/Biden led 49-42%.
The Dem ticket now holds a commanding 26% lead among Inds, up from their record 22% advantage in the previous release and 2% deficit one week ago.
Meanwhile just half as many RVs say the U.S. is headed in the right direction as did in the initial Diageo/Hotline tracking survey. Only 10% say right track today vs. 20% on 9/7.
And foreign policy debate or not, the economy remains the hot topic. Three in five RVs now say the economy is the most important issue facing the U.S., up from 39% two weeks ago. At the same time, 46% favor Obama on handling of the economy and 35% say McCain.
Today's poll, conducted 9/24-26 by FD, surveyed 914 RVs and has a margin of error of +/- 3.2%. Party ID breakdown for the sample is 41%D, 36%R, 19%I.
(MATTHEW GOTTLIEB)
WaPo:
For McCain, Days of Chaos, Improvisation and Drama
McCain's ability to reach across the aisle and bring his colleagues to consensus -- something he brags about repeatedly on the campaign trail -- appeared to have vanished Thursday.
"Thursday was a disaster," said a top aide who had been part of the planning. "The vision on Wednesday did not play out as we thought."
On the flip side... Obama calm and collected in time of crisis and uncertainty.
WaPo:
For Obama, Dialogue Drove Week's Work
Obama himself got on a conference call at a hotel in Tampa with eight of his top advisers and set the tone for the days ahead.
Obama addressed the group with a mixture of amusement and calm, describing his recent phone call with McCain, and quickly ruling out postponing the debate. "He kind of laughed and shook his head, and said, 'This is what has happened,' " said senior strategist David Axelrod. "He went through it all and said, 'There's nothing to do here but what we are doing. We're not going to follow him down this path. There's nothing to be accomplished here by making a show of imposing ourselves in the process.' "
Throughout the week, Obama cast himself as the responsible stakeholder and party leader, communicating with White House and Democratic leaders as he tried to influence the outcome of the bailout talks behind the scenes. He made no sudden or dramatic public moves. He slipped the trap his advisers believe McCain tried to set for him by proposing a delay in the debate -- and simultaneously avoided tying himself inextricably to a bailout proposal that, even if it passes, may remain extremely unpopular.
As House Republican leaders explained their objections to the bailout agreement, Obama pressed McCain on whether he supported their alternative plan. "What do you think of the plan, John?" he asked repeatedly. McCain did not answer.
Later, pulling away from the White House, Obama called senior advisers from the car to convey how strange he had found the entire session.
[...]
Obama's response to unfolding events in the days since has offered a window onto his style of management as well as his substantive economic beliefs.
[...] He began speaking to Paulson on a daily basis, aides said, asking for status updates; he also increased his phone calls to members of Congress involved in the talks. Several Democratic members of the House and Senate reported hearing from Obama up to several times a day.