To borrow a Douglas Adams line, ‘Don’t panic’

[babylonsister]

How timely! :popcorn:

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/16618.html

To borrow a Douglas Adams line, ‘Don’t panic’
Posted August 20th, 2008 at 11:15 am


Well, the needle on the Democratic Anxiety O’ Meter seems to have moved this morning, from “Deep Anxiety” to “Near-Panic.” A few developments have made the dread more palpable than usual.

Development #1 — A new LAT/Bloomberg poll shows Barack Obama’s national lead over John McCain down to just two points, 45% to 43%. Most Americans don’t think Obama has the “right” experience to be president; there are far too many racists who question the color of Obama’s skin; and after a barrage of negative attacks and smear tactics from McCain, Obama’s favorable rating has slid from 59% to 48% since June.

Development #2 — A new Reuters/Zogby poll shows McCain taking the national lead over Obama by five, 46% to 41%. The poll showed Americans preferring McCain on the economy by nearly double digits, and about one-fourth of Democratic voters withholding their support for Obama.

Development #3 — Real Clear Politics’ electoral-vote map shows McCain crossing the 270-vote threshold for the first time today, leading Obama 274 to 264.

So, is it time to jump out the window? Probably not. To borrow a Douglas Adams line, “Don’t panic.”

snip//

Why not panic, then? Because, to borrow a sports metaphor, the regular season is ending and the playoffs are poised to get underway. Obama may be “backing in” to the post-season, but by most estimations, despite all of the discouraging developments, he’s still positioned pretty well, both in national polls and in the electoral-vote count.

Obama has been pacing himself, and the more aggressive tone we’ve seen the past couple of days is pretty new. What’s more, in a trend we’ll talk more about later, Obama’s campaign has been focusing heavily on the ground game, which isn’t reflected in the polls.

It’s not a completely analogous situation, but I can think of plenty of times I heard Obama fans’ handwringing last fall, when it appeared he just wasn’t going to be able to defeat Hillary Clinton. Obama was, however, taking his time, methodically executing a specific strategy. I underestimated him more than a few times before, but he managed to do pretty well, and I’m still inclined to give the campaign team at least some of the benefit of the doubt.

Forgive the cliche, but everything’s about to change pretty dramatically — running mates + conventions = new campaign dynamic.

{b}Breathe. And stay tuned.{/b}

[babylonsister]

1. Cause I can. nt

[Arnold Judas Rimmer]

2. "Don't Panic" is usually sound advice

Until you have read through some 128 Vogon PUMAtry threads :scared:

Anybody got a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster?? :beer:

[ruggerson]

3. I'm not going to panic even if he's five points down a week before the election

I have no doubt whatsoever that we are going to win.

[cliffordu]

4. Yep. I'm witchyou

[TheKentuckian]

5. No panic

but I'm down with a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster!!!!

Bourbon doesn't leave me as cool and froody as I'd prefer at this point.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Interesting read......

comments too.

Person from Denmark seems to see us for what America has become.