They say “close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” Well it counts in presidential elections too. Remember the elections of 2000 and 2004? When the democratic contender has only a 5 or 6% lead over his competitor, it’s an automatic win for the republican. (I don’t understand it either - it’s just a given.)

Barring a miracle, such as a countrywide rise in IQ points or drop in racism, it’s beginning to look like McCain’s year.

CNN poll of polls: Obama lead cut in half

In what could be an ominous sign for Barack Obama just days before he is formally named the Democratic presidential nominee, a new CNN poll of polls out Tuesday shows the Illinois senator’s lead over John McCain has been cut in half in recent days.

According to CNN’s average of several recent national surveys, Obama’s lead is now a slim 3 points over the Arizona senator, 46-43 percent — half of his advantage in a CNN poll of polls one week ago, and down from a high of 8 points in mid-July. [...]

“Over the last week, we’ve seen Sen. Obama’s lead in the poll of polls cut in half,” noted CNN Senior Political Researcher Alan Silverleib. “This change was likely driven by a renewed focus on foreign policy after Russia’s invasion of Georgia, as well as by Sen. McCain’s willingness to launch more aggressive attacks against Obama on issues such as off-shore drilling.”