Is The Race Tightening?

Ken AshfordElection 2008Leave a Comment

Nate Silver says "no".  Not in any electoral college-altering way.  He adds:

In order to conclude the Electoral College has tightened to the point where the outcome on November 4 is at least moderately uncertain, I would want to see the following between now and the election. Call it the 2/2/2 condition: 

John McCain polling within 2 points in 2 or more non-partisan polls (sorry, Strategic Vision) in at least 2 out of the 3 following states: Colorado, Virginia, Pennsylvania. 

If this condition is met, then I think there could be some drama on Election Night (though by no means would McCain be the favorite). If not, then it's very hard to imagine McCain winning.

RELATED:  A new Pew survey shows Obama over McCain nationwide by an incredible 18 points (52% to 38%) among registered voters, and by 15 points (53% to 38%).

Perhaps more importantly, among those who have already voted, Obama leads McCain by 19 points (53% to 34%).

Compared to Pew's last survey, the latest one shows the race widening, not tightening.

ALSO RELATED:  The GOP is buying ad airtime in Montana and West Virginia, a sure sign that the McCain is in trouble.  Montana and West Virginia are among the most conservative states in the country.