3 New PA polls today - one Clinton +2; one Obama +2; one no change

[housewolf]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/189116.php

Sound and Fury?

Following up on TPM Reader AY's note below, we seem to have a pretty good read now, which WaPo's Chris Cillizza says he was waiting (WP article link at TPM link above) for, on the effect of "bitter". We have three polls out today -- one shows a 2 point gain for Hillary, one shows a 2 point gain for Barack, and one shows no change at all.

So after four days of the story nonstop it appears to have had zero effect on public opinion.

Now, there is one possible counter-argument. Obama had been gaining ground up until this last run of polls, though SUSA had him falling. So it's plausible to speculate that he would have continued gaining if not for the latest controversy. That would suggest a parallel to Texas and Ohio, where Obama appeared to be making headway until the Nafta controversy and (possibly) the 3 AM ad blunted his momentum.

But based on what we know today it appears that all the sound and fury has signified nothing.

(ed.note: You'll note that two polls came out yesterday. ARG has a huge Clinton lead and huge Clinton gain and Susquehanna had a very small Clinton lead -- 3 points. ARG's record this year has been very poor however; and the Susquehanna sounding was a small sample, which in any case stopped sampling on the 10th, before controversy erupted. Here's the full list of all recent polls.) (polls link at TPM link above)

--Josh Marshall

[grantcart]

1. k and r

[lisa58]

2. That about says it all...

...I'm hoping the debate changes the tone again - we'll see.

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. Error: You've already recommended that thread.

thanks.

[Kaylee]

4. Good. Now the media can start discussing some issues that matter.

as if.....

[dancingme]

5. Not good news for Hillary

she peaked a while ago.

[underpants]

6. Seems like the last few days have turned around and.... BIT HER

:bounce:

[housewolf]

9. ahhhhh.... that's CLEVER!

Thanks for the smile

:toast:

[wowimthere]

7. In the debate Obama should hit Clinton as a Bush/McCain sympathizer who votes just like them...

Trade, War, Bankruptcy, Iran and now Rove.

[chknltl]

8. ...and ask her what she thinks about accountability too!

If he did this, his position would be cemented and she would be on the spot to do the same or come up with a damned good "why not".

Here is Senator Obama's current position:
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/Barack_on_torture.html