Political Insider

McCain's current position reminds me of the Black Knight in Monty Python and The Holy Grail

King Arthur: You fight with the strength of many men, Sir Knight.
[the Black Knight doesn't respond]
King Arthur: I am Arthur, King of the Britons.
[No response]
King Arthur: I seek the bravest and the finest knights in the land who will join me in my court at Camelot.
[No response]
King Arthur: You have proved yourself worthy. Will you join me?
[No response]
King Arthur: You make me sad. So be it. Come, Patsy!
[Attempts to get around the Black Knight]
Black Knight: None shall pass.
King Arthur: What?
Black Knight: None shall pass!
King Arthur: I have no quarrel with you, good Sir Knight. But I must cross this bridge.
Black Knight: Then you shall die.
King Arthur: I command you, as King of the Britons, to stand aside!
Black Knight: I move for no man.
King Arthur: So be it!
[They fight until Arthur cuts off Black Knight's left arm]
King Arthur: Now, stand aside, worthy adversary!
Black Knight: 'Tis but a scratch!
King Arthur: A scratch? Your arm's off!
Black Knight: No, it isn't!
King Arthur: Well, what's that then?
King Arthur: I've had worse.
King Arthur: You liar!
Black Knight: Come on, you pansy!
[They fight again. Arthur cuts off the Knight's right arm]
King Arthur: Victory is mine!
[Kneels to pray]
King Arthur: We thank thee, Lord, that in thy mercy -
[Cut off by the Knight kicking him]
Black Knight: Come on, then.
King Arthur: What?
Black Knight: Have at you!
King Arthur: You are indeed brave, Sir Knight, but the fight is mine!
Black Knight: Oh, had enough, eh?
King Arthur: Look, you stupid bastard. You've got no arms left!

That is fine but mostly this shows that Obama is doing better nationally than Kerry did. Take away 6 percentage points in each state (the amount that Obama is doing better nationally than Kerry did) and he loses all of them. I know that he will do better in some than Kerry did (e.g., Alaska and Indiana) anyway but these in roads are tentative right now. With luck they will hold and we will change the political face of the country.

More important is that almost every state poll shows things still trending Obama's way. He has more boots on the ground and more money. Without those two things McCain has little hope of turning this thing around.

He will bring in Mike Murphy this week or next. But that will only make things worse. The guys who had been running the show for McCain will just give up and punch the clock to collect their paychecks rather than make Murphy the "knight in shining armor."

Republicanism is at it's core a "me first" philiosophy. They couldn't give a rats hind quarters about the welfare of their fellow citizens or future generations. Prick these guys petty egos and watch the crybaby drama ensue.

If these polling numbers were reversed, Republicans would be hailing John McCain as the second coming and laughing at Democrats for deluding themselves into thinking Obama had any chance of winning. The fact that Obama has surpassed or signifcantly closed the gap in traditionally Republican states speaks volumes to the dissappointments and angers of Republicans and their need to reject eight years of a totally unacceptable Republican administration. At any rate, I'd rather be a Democrat watching Obama take the lead and narrow the gap in traditional Republican states than be a Republican "hoping" that the polling numbers don't indicate that their fellow Republicans aren't rejecting McCain and accepting Obama. According to recent polls, Obama is also ahead in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. When the truly desperate attack ads start coming out of McCain's campaign and or his swift-boating groups, they will do more to mobilize new Democratic voters than to resurrect the passions of disheartened Bush-punked Republicans.