'There was zero, nothing, a flat line'
Maybe tonight's speech will make a difference. But I now think 'stuck in neutral' is an apt way to describe Obama's stagnant campaign. The most astounding thing about the DNC, at least until Biden's speech last night, is how Democrats have not framed the election as a referendum on the last eight years. Here you have one of the most unpopular presidents since World War II, and Democrats aren't pounding away at it at every opportunity? They're too busy praising Obama, or Ted, or Hillary, or Bill, when the subjects should be about the war, gas prices, Wall Street bailouts, the national budget deficit and debt, Katrina-like incompetence, corruption, pork-barrel spending, etc. It's not that hard to tie it to McCain, who, unbelievably, has Dems on the defensive, despite his own ineptness. Maybe tonight's speech will make a difference. Maybe the confidence of Obama's staff has merit. But this race, as measured by polls, shouldn't even be close at this point. The race was bound to tighten up. But not in August. ...

Update -- A Hub Blog friend notes that Obama's disappointing polls numbers might actually bode well for his campaign. The theory: Didn't Mike Dukakis and John Kerry have big poll leads at this point in the cycle -- only to blow them in the end? "History isn't repeating itself,'' he said. ... Maybe history is simply contracting. But I take his point. There's still time to pound back and frame the election beyond the non-burning question of 'Who's more credible?' ... And Lord knows Obama's camp has the dough to counter-attack. ...

Update II -- Dan notes Kerry was on the attack last night. Four years late, one should add. But at least he's attacking. ...  ¶ 7:29 AM