Some very encouraging news.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in New Hampshire Obama attracting 53% of the vote while McCain earns 43%. This is the first time Obama has held a significant lead in the state since July and the first time he’s held a double digit lead since June. Polls in August and September showed the race to be a toss-up. In fact, less than two weeks ago, McCain was up by two points, 49% to 47%.
This could be it, folks. With CO looking solidly in our column but NH shaky, we were seeing the possibility of a 269-269 tie (which occurs if we win all the Gore states plus Colorado but lose NH). I've even heard discussions as to whether it would be worth trying for the extra EV in Nebraska, where the vote is split by congressional district, just to ensure we get the 270.
Granted, we don't need NH, but as the last remaining state that did not vote 2X for Bush, it would be great to put it solidly in our column. Doing so would mean there was virtually no chance of John McCain winning, unless a miracle happens and he can flip Pennsylvania. I don't see it happening.
Some more from the article:
Obama is now viewed favorably by 60% of New Hampshire voters, McCain by 57%. Those figures reflect a six-point improvement for Obama and a three-point decline for McCain compared to the late September survey.
As for the running mates, Delaware Senator Joe Biden is viewed favorably by 54% while 47% say the same about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.
My hope for the VP debate was not bloodbath, simply non-gamechanger. It looks like we got that. If NH is now in our column, things just went from looking very, very good to frighteningly good.
UPDATE:
A poll by St. Anselm College in NH also has Obama up, 49-37:
A new poll by the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College shows significant movement in the presidential race in swing state New Hampshire, with Sen. Barack Obama ahead of Sen. John McCain by 12 percentage points.
When asked whom they plan to vote for in the Nov. 4 general election, 49% of respondents said Obama and 37% answered McCain. Another 11% said they are undecided, but among those who have selected a candidate, 88% say they will not change their mind.