Figure we should have one central thread to discuss the general election, with other supporting threads around it.

Latest polls:

Gallup - Obama 48, McCain 41
Rasmussen - Obama 50, McCain 43

Wisconsin - Obama 45, McCain 43 (Rasmussen)
New Jersey - Obama 48, McCain 39 (Rasmussen)

I did not expect Wisconsin to be in play for McCain. I expected it to be solidly in Obama' camp, especially after going to Kerry last year. If McCain can swing Wisconsin, that would be a big blow to Obama.

I should also add that as of now I don't think McCain will win, not because of any policies, any trends, or anything similar. I think he will lose simply because of A) money and even more importantly B) Obama has a far supperior network established in EVERY state due to the primary season.

I have a feeling that is going to prove invaluable, and almost impossible to overcome for McCain, especially when trailing in $$$.

South Carolina:
McCain 48, Obama 39

Rasmussen

Texas: McCain 52, Obama 39

Rasmussen

Yeah, looks like Texas will almost definitely remain red.

btw, where's Angela?

called that awhile ago.

That is the closest SC has been in like almost 30 years when Carter ran. Republicans have been winning by 15%-30 the past several elections here. I also think Mccain will lose but it will be because of the economy. The economy is so bad people aren't going to want 4 more years of the same failed policies.

Virgina is switching to Obama but he will barley win Penn and lose Ohio and Michigan.

He has no chance in hell in getting Florida. Seniors everywhere!! That is like McCain land..

I don't know maybe he took my ban bet seriously?

I think Obama can win Michigan and even Ohio because of the bad economy. I think both states will be close though.

Seniors usually favor Democrats, why would that trend break for McCain?

Im thinking now that Mccain is actually dumber than Bush, he thinks Putin is the president of Germany . . .

No, no. I'm sure it's not that McCain is dumb, he just "misspoke"...again...

I'm not a fan of picking apart everything people say, because on occasion people do just say stupid things, but there's a huge difference between the random jumbling of words and a continuous stream of endless fuckups.

McCain also said recently (yesterday or today, can't remember off the top of my head) that bringing US soldiers home was "not too important" and that it was the deaths in Iraq we should be worrying about. I bet it's a little important to the soldiers getting screwed into 3rd and 4th tours as well as their families. Just a little bit.

He also pulled out one of those bile-inducing George W. Bush grins in the "not too important" interview, yet again.

Between his stance on the Iraq war (which seems to fluctuate weekly), his stance on the economy (yay Bush tax cuts for uber-rich), his never-ending public speaking gaffs (putting it lightly), his stance on abortion and women's health issues (guess which way he goes there?), his idiotic and factually INCORRECT thoughts on America being founded as a "Christian nation", and so many other things stacking up in the con pile (what is in the pro stack, I wonder) I really don't understand how someone can actually objectively and reasonably think--if that's even going on--he is a good choice for the country.

I really don't understand how any self-respecting woman could vote for him, seeing as just looking at his history on the subject of women's rights (not just abortion) it clearly isn't at all favorable.

Yes, Obama is not perfect and all his ideas aren't the best but the thing that Obama has that McCain lacks completely and utterly is reason. I am confident that if Obama is presented with an alternative to something he's thought up that is, to put it simply, better he won't just blindly stand by his idea for no other reason than because. He just displays better judgment and seems to be a reasonable and logical human being, which is far more than anyone can say for McCain.

National daily update:
Gallup: Obama 48, McCain 42
Rasmussen: Obama 49, McCain 44

Georgia: McCain 51, Obama 41 (Rasmussen)

Michigan: Obama 45, McCain 42 (Rasmussen)

Washington: Obama 56, McCain 39 (SurveyUSA)

BRAVO

I can almost see McCain picking Romney to take Michigan. And I don't see how Romney will hurt him in other states really. Romney didn't perform too bad in the primaries, just too many second place finishes, which if it wasn't winner take all he may have stood a chance.

I agree; I think Romney would be the best choice for McCain.

Which is why I hope he doesn't pick him!

I have a feeling McCain is going to pick Carly Fiorina.

- She would help with economic issues.
- She's a woman and would help attract disaffected Hillaryites.
- She'd give him the appearance of being more modern.

There are negatives too, including her having an annoying personality and lacking political experience. But she's out there all the time defending him on tv shows, so it's possible she's on his list.

I think Texas might just be in play. I have not seen not 1 Mcain bumper sticker or poster in North Texas but Obama is everywhere.

I haven't saw an Obama sticker where I live and I guarantee that Obama wins Washington easily.

My nephew is very bright for his age, and has thrown his support behind Obama.

That's post haircut. My sister-in-law won't let him get a full haircut because she thinks they'll just shave off all his curls. Which they would.