Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Yes, he can... make it a little closer

The news that Barack Obama has trimmed John McCain's lead to 15 points in Alabama's presidential polling -- cutting the previous lead in half -- raises three notable points:

1) Despite all the caterwauling from pundits who really want a close race for the White House, this election is shaping up to be a solid victory for the Democrats. Obama is holding his own among independents, and even after a seemingly never-ending primary fight, he has a base that is far more motivated than McCain's and is consolidating more and more as the days pass.

2) Things have reached the point in Alabama that a mere 15-point deficit for Obama is considered a moral victory for the Democratic side. Considering Alabama is McCain's surest bet this side of Utah, though, this news can't be heartening to the Republicans. It also can't be good news for GOP congressional candidates who hoped McCain might have some coattails to ride.

3) I've got a lot of catching up to do. Three to four months' worth, to be precise. Those of you who have continued to visit have superlative patience, and you deserve to be rewarded with a whole host of posts. Tonight, though, let's start slow by breaking that unhealthy "one post a month" trend.