Could the Tide be Turing?

David Gergen posted this on Anderson Cooper's blog this morning. Gergen made the argument that the tide of the presidential campaign may be turning in John McCain's favor. I found Gergen's post to be interesting because if you only pay attention to major media coverage of the campaign you would come away with the notion that Barack Obama is running unopposed. Or that he has already been appointed President without the formality of an election. However, since clinching the Democratic nomination, and with the luck of inheriting an electorate the should be favorable to Democrats, Obama has not been able to break way from McCain and has remained in a virtrual tie with the Arizona Senator. And this week, in the wake of the Saddleback forum, McCain has been closing the gap in many national polls. He has even pulled ahead in polls from key swing states. McCain could actually win this election, which, if I can be honest, I hope he does. I think that over the past sixteen years, America has had enough with superficial presidents that survive on meaningless symbolism.

Gergen wrote:

"Heading into the candidates’ appearances on Saturday night at Saddleback Church, the conventional wisdom in politics was Barack Obama should have a clear upper hand in any joint appearance with John McCain — one the young, eloquent, cool, charismatic dude who can charm birds from the trees, the other the meandering, sometimes bumbling, old fellow who can barely distinguish Sunnis from Shiias."

"Well, kiss that myth goodbye."

"McCain came roaring out of the gate from the first question and was a commanding figure throughout the night as he spoke directly and often movingly about his past and the country’s future. By contrast, Obama was often searching for words and while far more thoughtful, was also less emotionally connective with his audience."

Full article.