Is Pennsylvania in play after all, based on Barack Obama polling?

Perhaps the Pennsylvania strategy embraced by the John McCain campaign makes sense after all.

The strategy has prompted skepticism. But much buzz today surrounds the apparently inadvertent leak of an internal poll by Barack Obama's campaign in Pennsylvania that supposedly showed the Democrat leading there by only 2 percentage points -- a much-slimmer margin than independent surveys have recorded for him and one that would make the race for the state a tossup.

An e-mail from a local Obama aide expressing concern about the internal poll's findings ended up in the queue of a radio talk show host in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He, in turn, interviewed Sean Smith, the Obama communications director for Pennsylvania.

Their chat can be heard here; as the host notes after it's over, Smith doesn't dispute that the campaign's own polling gauged Pennsylvania a tossup.

And that may explain a related story making the rounds -- a report that Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, the politically savvy Ed Rendell, described himself in a memo as "a little nervous" about Obama's standing in his state as he requested that the candidate return there soon for some more on-the-ground campaigning.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Angellight]

McCain Advisers Freaked out by Al Qaeda Preference for McCain (too good)!

http://washingtonindependent.com/14218/mccain-advisers-freaked-out-by-al-qaeda-preference-for-mccain

It is time to pass the torch, it is time to turn the page to a new Generation of Leaders exclusive for these time -- that would be Barack Obama!

PA has suffered just like states all accross this country. Hospitals have closed down because Bush economics have closed off money to states for health and education, that is not a GOP priority, but it is a Barack Obama priority. And if PA and this country wants to get back to the American Dream than they better run to Barack Obama, a soul, truly committed to change and unity all accross thsi country and around the world. You see, Barack has been tested since day one he has announced his run for Presidency. But it is how one handles a crises which separates Barack from McCain and has generated tremendous support for Barack from established leaders all around the world. We are not living in the old world of might and fight. The world is interconnected now and we must all work together to sovle the problems facing all countries together such as energy, climate and economics. So you see, I think it is a good thing for America to embrace socialism -- to be social -- that is not a bad thing.

[OGLiberla]

This is the expectations game that Obama's camp plays all the time. Perhaps the kid who sent the email took liberties with some of the data. Or perhaps this "mistake" was intentional. You're not going to get Smith to say that the internals actually show Obama up by 6 or 8 or 10. They want their folks motivated, they don't want them to be complacent. PA probably isn't a 10-13 pt lead for Obama, but he's probably ahead by 6-8pts in the state.

This also is a tease for the McCain campaign - I'm sure the Obama camp would like McCain to spend as much time in PA as possible while not spending enough time in states like VA, CO, NV, MO, NC, and FL>

[Concerned Voter]

To the people in Pennsylvania:

Remember, OBAMA and some democrats think you are red necks and racist. Stick to your bibles and guns and vote for the QUALIFIED couple, John McCain and Sarah Palin. They respect you and your rights and if elected will work fairly for all americans.

[junglejim123]

Wow..a news source that is actually saying something damaging about Obama - Imagine that ????
The polls are not correct - most of the media are in the tank for Obama . Many of us are sick of hearing his name and we dont trust him at all. He doesnt have as many votes on his side as the media is letting you believe....Its a ploy so you'll give up and not vote..dont fall for it.....Dont believe MSNBC- the Obama network either !!!

[War Eagle]

Or it's a giant head fake by the Obama camp. There are too many polls in the field in PA for this to be true.

[Lance]

Go McCain. Go Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania, the Democrats say you are redneck, racists who tote around your guns and Bibles. Pull the trigger and pull the lever for McCain on November 4!!!

[JOHN FISHER]

Allegations, based on ficticious claims, and outright LIES, are the basis upon which Republicans try to influence the vote.

We've been buying their fictions for too many years. It's time to rebuke them and toss the whole gang, from dog catcher to President, out of office.

Someone might allege that Palin will not release her health records because she has a sexually transmitted disease (HIV/AIDS). The claim doesn't necessarily have to be true but who can dispute it if those records aren't released.

DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU HEAR!!!! JUST LOOK AROUND!! It should be easy to see where we now stand, as a country, to make a determination that it is in our best interest, if not our only option, to vote for CHANGE!!!

[Howard]

PERCEPTION IS NOT NECESSARILY REALITY ... DON'T BELIEVE THE POLLS ...
Obama supporters act as if the polls are a true reflection of what's going to happen on November 4th. Obama has consistently tried to win each of his elections prior to a single vote being cast, by eliminating his opponenets on technicalities, or having the DNC dump Hillary, or by giving the false impression that he already won, before the election has even taken place. When you don't have an actual record to run on ... and all you can do is point out problems, and blame others, as Obama has, you have to rely on gimmicks that have nothing to do with your actual ability to lead ... like accusations of racism ad nauseam ... like early voting ...busing and indoctrinating homeless people on the way to the polls ... photo ops with big crowds ... spending 4 to 1 on advertising ... having the media in the tank ... having Hollywood in the tank, having Acorn in the tank ... and, having 98% of all black voters in the tank. But, all of these things are nothing more than a fabricated perception. They have nothing to do with a person's experience, or ability to lead. They just reveal a candidate who will say, or do anything to get elected. That's why the Obamabots are so worried. That's why Obama is telling his disciples not to get over confident. That's why the Obama campaign tries real hard to make it look like Obama has already won ... just like they did in the run against Hillary in the primaries. I happen to believe there are legions of people who are going to vote for McCain on November 4th ... unlike the 'in your face' Obama supporters, November 4th is when the McCain supporters will express themselves. A vote for Obama is a vote for voter fraud, corrupt media, and a road to socialism. Keep America safe and strong, elect McCain/Palin on November 4th.

[fred]

whoa man. something "bad: about the messiah? well its not like the writer here actuallt ASKED him a question, like poor joe the p. saw what they did to joe. the writer here might find a horse head in his bed. better hire a food tsater too. someone to start his car for him? good luck dude. the messiah does not like bad news, or questions. he's not used to either.

nov 5 is gonna be real fun. imagine all the msm reporting a 50.1/49.8 mccain win.

hope they print up some dewey/truman papers.