I'm sure most of you have seen this poll, but please bear with me.

Unlike the 2004 for presidential campaign, in today's tough economic times, when people are most concerned with bread and butter issues, mudslinging hasn't worked for the McCain campaign. In fact, it has hurt. According to the latest NY Times CBS poll

The McCain campaign's recent angry tone and sharply personal attacks on Senator Barack Obama appear to have backfired and tarnished Senator John McCain more than their intended target

I find this heartening. I was beginning to think that the American voter would once again be swayed by Swiftboat-style attacks; but not so. Even when McCain attempted to tie Obama to 60's radical William Ayers, the public just wasn't buying it.

Six in 10 voters surveyed said that Mr. McCain had spent more time attacking Mr. Obama than explaining what he would do as president.

The primary reasons for this decline in McCain's approval rating were:

his recent attacks and his choice of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate.

Now, the most encouraging news; the poll suggests that if the election were held today:

53 percent of those determined to be probable voters said they would vote for Mr. Obama and 39 percent said they would vote for Mr. McCain.

Pollsters indicated that their opinions of Obama had changed and were now twice as likely to view Obama favorably rather than unfavorably.

Cross-posted:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/15/112547/25?new=true