Anticipating Rasmussen Daily Tracking Poll; Reaction to Obama Greek Temple Setup

Considered the coin of the realm, the locale where the election rubber meets the voter road, the Rasmussen daily tracking poll provides the litmus test for voter reaction to speeches, faux pas, Obama Greek temple setups and questionable choices for presidential running mates. Thus far, the daily tracking poll is unsatisfactory to both Barack Obama and John McCain, as it fails to show either contestant so much as a nose hair length ahead of the other.

As a matter of fact, the Rasmussen daily tracking poll reveals that on Aug. 25, the first day of the Democratic National Convention, Obama's camp picked up about four points. The match up with leaners shows that the increase was only three points. On the other hand, on the second day of the DNC -- even in spite of Hillary Clinton's me-laced endorsement of Barack Obama -- the numbers were even with or without the leaners match up.

The figures bear out that as of today both McCain and Obama command 44% of the vote and split dead even; worse for Barack Obama, if leaners are counted, John McCain is actually ahead one point! It does not bode well for a presidential candidate when during the time of his political prom that is to end with his coronation, the opposing candidate moves ahead in the numbers.

On the heels of these somewhat worrisome numbers comes Reuters leaking the setup for Obama's official acceptance speech on Thursday. Now known online as the Obama Greek Temple backdrop, it appears that the stage will resemble a mix of the Acropolis and the colonnade of Athena. Where usually diehard Bronco fans cheer on their team, Barack Obama is said to make an entrance befitting a king, or perhaps a Greek god of antiquity.

Granted, the Obama Greek temple backdrop that more than 80,000 Obama Nation faithful will behold is actually slated to evoke memories of the White House and Capitol building. Unfortunately, Reuters has employed a more cynical approach and is likening it to a Greek temple, which those who do not consider Obama the chosen one (and would not even think of doing the Obama salute) have latched on to.

I must confess that the pomp and circumstance of American politics is at times an awkward mix of Ozzie and Harriet meet Sanford and Son, but the backlash of an overdone presidential nominee appearance will show up dismally on the Rasmussen daily tracking poll as well as the Gallup poll. On the other hand, if done perfectly well and flowing nicely into the speech - and if 80,000 can be made to buy into it - the Obama campaign will be richly rewarded with point advantages on both the Rasmussen and Gallup tracking poll.

One word of advice to Mr. Obama: do not come out with a fiddle (or whatever it was that Nero played when Rome was burning); even though Clinton might have pulled off the saxophone bit, the fiddle might provide the kind of imagery that right wing pundits will feed on for months and years to come.

Sources:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/general_election_match_up_history
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2636979020080826
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/939931/obama_salute_sends_orwellian_message.html?cat=9