From reading the results and analysis, I understood that some national polls will show McCain closing but that it won't necessarily help him. The state by state results apparently don't show the same trend. The logic used was that he has been campaigning in states he has a lead in, to hold on to them. The suggestion was that he has strengthened his numbers (in a defensive move) but it won't help him overall, that he has too steep a hill to climb.

Or all that could be wrong.

McCain has gained in Ohio and Florida this week, which are important battle ground states, right?

They were not states he had in his pocket.

Which racial comment are you referring to? The only one contained in this thread is in your post near the start, in bold print. There is just one problem: it isn't a quote, it is a newspaper headline that you put in quotation marks. It isn't what Powell said.

Read your own link, which you provided to support your position. Here is an excerpt from it, with Powell responding to the interviewer's question about electing a black president, and what message it would send to the world:

The article goes on to talk about Powell saying he would not be voting for McCain because of being friends for 25 years, and not be voting for Obama due to colour.

I didn't see Powell make a racial comment. You've got to get past the race issue.

Some polls have him gaining in Ohio. However, the link I provided (usaelectionpolls.com) shows him falling behind in Ohio on a 7 day moving average. I provided the analysis text above.

I only used that site because it sorted through all the separate polls. I don't know that it is better than others. I figured that so many polls were using 1000 person samples, and not necessarily from all areas within a geography, so averaging the polls provided a more statistically significant result.

Believe which ones you like, however, I can't ensure that one is better than another.

As Powell would clarify and place in context the statement above - not just "any" African American as US president would be electrifying for the world (you can have your Clarence Thomas Mr. Lab Guy), but rather Obama as an African American and as US President will electrify the world.

Obama raises the political discourse to the level where it should be - a focus on the issues. He seeks to build bridges between those of opposite persuasion to bring forward a solution that promotes the goals for both sides. He is not a liberal seeking a liberal agenda, rather he is a liberal that is seeking moderate solutions because we a moderate America.

I also agree with Powell in that the politics of the Republican party needs to come more to the center if they are to remain a single, viable political party as time marches on... In short, we are witnessing the last gasps of a generation and politics that no longer serves all Americans. :popcorn:

You ignored my point about Powell being a Moderate Republican with nothing in common with Obama's politics.

Case in point...Powell in a recent interview.

Powell told Tom Brokaw that he still believes that war was the right course of action, on the basis of what he and other officials knew -- or thought they knew -- at the time. He said he believes the war was mishandled. And he said he still opposes a "deadline" for withdrawing U.S. troops, though he added that a "timeline" for withdrawal is beginning to emerge.

Sure does not sound like a man who believes Obama and his policy will be better for America.

LOL...That's right...Obama is going to "Change the World"! You are starting to sound like Louis Farrakhan and making Obama out to be some sort of savior or as Farrakhan says the next Messiah.

As for Obama reaching across the isle to moderate America...Please. Show me ONE example of him reaching across the isle. Obama is an Ultra Liberal and his policies speak for themselves. Besides...With the White House, Congress and the Senate being in the hands of the FAR LEFT there will be no need to reach across. Get ready for a Reach Around America.

Here's one example of Obama having conservative appeal from a quick Google search - [Obama's] first television ad buy in Iowa included testimony from a Republican state lawmaker from Illinois talking up Obama and his ability to reach across party lines. Obama appeals to Christopher Buckley, Michael Smerconish, among other conservatives of influence - as with me, their support has nothing to do with Obama's race, and everything to do with his intellect and ability. :bmw:

You've got me there...That is proof positive that Obama is going to "Change the World".

Come on Nov 5th, come on Nov 5th.