Latest battleground polls were out this morning - some good news and bad news for Obama:

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/09/peak-at-new-electoral-map.html

First number is the old, second is new, third is total swing:

OH Rasmussen McCain +5 McCain +7 McCain +2

MI PPP Obama +3 Obama +1 McCain +2

PA Rasmussen Obama +3 Obama +2 McCain +1

VA Rasmussen McCain +1 McCain +2 McCain +1

VA SurveyUSA McCain +1 McCain +2 McCain +1

FL Rasmussen McCain +2 TIE Obama +2

CO Rasmussen McCain +1 Obama +3 Obama +4

So far it looks like Obama has lost ground in OH, MI, PA and VA. This matches the working-class Mom meme (although note that Obama is still slightly ahead in MI & PA).

The great news is the tie in FLA (once thought to be a total Dem write-off) and an increased lead in CO.

Remember Dems, all we need is 1 or 2 state defections from the Bush total in 2004. Iowa seems a foregone conclusion for Obama, trending between +10 to +12 consistently. That's one state. NM & NH also seem to be trending Dem, although not as strong as IA. Add CO or FLA to this and its a done deal!

Grassroots is where its at and where the focus should be. In PA, the Dems have registered over a million (!!!!) new voters which should trend Dem as well, so I don't put too much stock in the PA numbers right now...

The bad trend for the Palin pick is that it shores up some evangelical support, but some of that support is in firmly Repug states (TX, UT, WY, the South) that weren't going Dem anyway. Plus 5% in these states may effect the national polls (what we're arguing over in this column) but have little to no effect in some states, which in the end (not to beat a dead equine) is what REALLY counts!

RE: McCain and "graciousness"

http://www.kansascity.com/445/v-print/story/785831.html

...except the fact that we're running someone with a little more charisma than a greek dwarf!

How the hell did Dukakis get nominated again?

"And yes, bring a responsible end to this war in Iraq so we stop spending billions each month rebuilding their country when we should be rebuilding ours."

Even with the war, its the economy, stupid. That AIG bailout? Chicken feed - at least compared to the $15 billion/month that the war is costing us.

Maybe it should be as simple as AIG bailout = 6 months in Iraq. And by the way, we've been there for 84 months..

So your chain email is THE email? How do you know yours wasn't altered?

Secondarily, I'm having a hard time seeing what difference your 2-3 "altered" sentences made in the overall scheme of the letter.

Lastly, do you have THE math, too?

Because as presented, Alex's rendition of the email makes it sound as if the letter writer believed Palin is going to be stopping a flood, as is actual water. That's highly misleading. It's clear the writer was talking about Palin stopping the flood of Obama.

I never would have thought to take it literally either way. Despite all the History Channel programs I watch where they try to find Noah's Ark or the Ark of the Covenant, I'm well aware that most of scripture is supposed to be parable or metaphor. Plus, like you said, Alex copped to changing AND provided a link...

Although I do like that term "Flood of Obama"! Sent to cleanse the corrupt government that has gone so terribly wrong! Although those damn X-tians mix so many damn metaphors is so hard to understand who they think the Savior/AntiChrist is supposed to be anyhoo!

I'm not sure what you are talking about, so I can't answer. What do you mean by "THE math?"

Rove quote, circa 2006 (paraphrasing), in response to not-so-good numbers for the GOP before the midterm elections: "Dems have their math. I have THE math."

Obviously, his math was wrong.

...but that was not "hot". Even by 1984 standards, that was not hot. By Alaskan standards? ...I can't speak to that...

Can anybody say flat, cheese butt? Sorry if that's offensive, but hey, Palin's the one who set herself up to be judged by her looks. One could make an arguement that she still is.

... that giant sucking sound is every retiree in FLA voting against John McCain:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122315505846605217.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

..including: Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and of course, Ohio and Florida!

If all of these go blue come Nov. 4, it will be the proverbial electoral college "landslide"...

Fingers crossed...

You're wrong.

League Division series has been 5 games since its inception in 1995. You are correct that the LCS was, at its inception, a 5 game series - increased to 7 games in 1985.

Wikipedia's an amazing thing. Open a new tab and check your facts next time. Otherwise you tend to look like, well... a Cubs fan...

Regarding the "meltdown" in Beantown. Wasn't it LA who failed to score TWICE with bases loaded and took 16 hits (to Boston's seven) to score 5 runs? The only reason they're still alive is because their catcher decided to break out of HIS 0-fer slump. If Pedroia starts hitting, the Sox are legitimate championship contenders again.

Jon Lester is pitching tonight. The series should be over by tomorrow...

...McCain can believe in!

That's why he looked so bamboozled on Tuesday: "Where's the people whose question amounts to nothing more than: 'You're so great. Please beat Obama.'?"

"Cindy, take me home, you trollop!"

The Angels couldn't field correctly when it counted. That's why they're out. The Bob & Rays will have to be perfect in the field to win – we'll see if they're up to it.