The 10-3-12 Presidential Debate

today's ditty:  Wolly Bully

Prior to the first debate on 10-3-11, President Obama looked to be on top of the world.  Poll averages indicated he led Governor Romney by something in the neighborhood of 5%. But there was some worry.   What if Obama’s some supporters became complacent and decided that they could avoid the drive to the polls because the election was in the bag? What if, for the same reason, others quit giving money to the Obama re-election funds?  Also, what if many of his supporters, on seeing that Obama was going to win, were to vote for non-democrats in the congressional races in order maintain somewhat of a party balance? 

I’m sure Obama and his campaign people were feeling a bit uncomfortable with the situation.   After all, in his run for president in 2008, as he neared the end of the race, the polls showed Obama to be significantly behind Senator John McCain - see the chart below – from realclearpolitics.   In the last 6 weeks of the campaign he and his election organization pulled together their reserves and launched into a wonderfully played and well timed sprint that sent Obama way ahead at the finish.

So, as of a week ago, Obama and his campaign team looked to be running through new territory.  How would this play out? Would his opposition this time be the one to kick big in the last strides of the race and take the win? I guess we'll never know. Following Obama’s poor performance in the first debate, the polls now show the race to be a virtual tie.

Here’s a video to get you primed for the  vice-presidential debates in Danville, KY later this week (Thursday, Oct 11th):  de-breifing the day