Political Perceptions: The McCain Surge That Wasn’t

The polls are definitely tightening as we head into the final sprint, but the truth is the momentum’s still with Sen. Barack Obama , writes Washingtonpost.com’s Chris Cillizza . Indiana, where Sen. John McCain is up three points according to a Rasmussen poll, is a prime example of how McCain might be getting a small boost but not a surge. George W. Bush carried the state by 21 points in 2004. “The very idea that Indiana is shaping up to be a nip and tuck race seems to belie the Republican argument that things are moving in McCain’s direction in the final days…Even the most ardent Democratic strategists largely agree — privately — that the ideological makeup of the country probably prevents Obama from winning 55 percent of the vote or more, which would amount to an electoral vote landslide. But, a natural tightening does not equal momentum. At least not yet.” CLICK HERE to read the rest of Political Wisdom — the weekend edition. (link)