More voters "relate" to Obama, but ...

From WashPo Behind the Numbers

In the CBS News-New York Times poll released last night, 55 percent of voters said Obama is someone they can "relate" to, while 41 percent said so of McCain. Among independents, however, the two run about evenly: 46 percent said they can relate to the senator from Illinois, 44 percent said so about McCain. Obama fares better on the question among Republicans (28 percent) than McCain does among Democrats (14 percent).

Question: Is ... someone you can relate to, or not?

Barack Obama

John McCain

But... in new NBC News-Wall Street Journal survey, 60 percent said McCain has a "background and set of values that you can identify with," 50 percent said so of Obama. And in the CBS-Times poll, while the two ran evenly on sharing "the values most Americans try to live by," McCain had a slim edge on this question among independents, 65 percent of whom said he shared such values; 59 percent who said so of Obama.

A couple of regular guys, with whom we'd gladly share a beer? I'll have a cold one with either guy, if they are asking, I'll even buy. Would love to hear Maverick's war stories, and talk Big Ten/Chicago sports with the Tall One!

Poor John McCain - Can't Count Homes Owned!

John McCain's Count of Homes - "Not sure, will check with my staff", er, "..maybe 4"? Oh yeah, thanks for checking Barack, it's at least 7 homes!



Good 'ol Johnny Mac, always on the ball. NOT!



Counting 10 here... any more out there, John?

Goodlatte Strong, but vulnerability is showing

click chart to enlarge

Latest polling results are in on the Goodlatte - Rasoul - Allen 6th district Congressional race.

While some paint a bleak picture for Rasoul. This polling data, when viewed in relation to long-term district voting results (above chart), is showing that Rasoul and Allen are driving Goodlatte's polling percentage below the historical floor of actual voting percentages set way back in 1992 and 1996.

Interestingly, 19% of Democrats, 17% of Liberal voters in the small survey said they favor Goodlatte. Sort of a cut-off-your-nose-to-spite-your-face contingent, sounding a bit like P.U.M.A. Still seeking the "right" candidate. It will be great drama, to see if these voters have a change of heart, and return to the Blue team on November 4th?

Another related tidbit in the data set, is that 53% of the voters favoring Goodlatte, "could change their mind" by election day. Seems like some folks are a bit unsettled on their view of Rep. Goodlatte.

Still not measured is the Warner and Obama coat-tail effect for Rasoul in the 6th district.