Dem Party Leaders Worried Over Obama's Limp Response

I'd say "limp" is probably the right word. Party leaders can't believe how things have turned around on the Obamessiah, and are also worried about the dreaded "Bradley effect":

The Democratic presidential candidate's slump in the polls has sparked pointed private criticism that he is squandering a once-in-a-generation chance to win back the White House.

Party elders also believe the Obama camp is in denial about warnings from Democratic pollsters that his true standing is four to six points lower than that in published polls because of hidden racism from voters - something that would put him a long way behind Mr McCain.

The Sunday Telegraph has learned that senators, governors and union leaders who have experience of winning hard-fought races in swing states have been bombarding Obamas campaign headquarters with telephone calls offering advice. But many of those calls have not been returned.

A senior Democratic strategist, who has played a prominent role in two presidential campaigns, told The Sunday Telegraph: "These guys are on the verge of blowing the greatest gimme in the history of American politics. They're the most arrogant bunch Ive ever seen. They won't accept that they are losing and they won't listen."

After leading throughout the year, Mr Obama now trails Mr McCain by two to three points in national polls.

Party leaders and commentators say that the Democrat candidate spent too much of the summer enjoying his own popularity and not enough defining his positions on the economy - the number one issue for voters - or reaching out to those blue collar workers whose votes he needs if he is to beat Mr McCain.

Others concede that his trip to Europe was a distraction that enhanced his celebrity status rather than his electability on Main Street, USA.

Since Sarah Palin was unveiled as Mr McCain's running mate, the Obama camp has faced accusations that it has been pushed off message and has been limp in responding to attacks.

Most of the experts have said that in any state where Obama holds a lead of less than 5 points he's in serious danger of losing because some voters will tell the pollsters one thing but vote another. Some attribute this to racism, but I think it's more likely a fear of being accused of racism or political incorrectness. Some voters, when polled, will tell the pollsters what they think the pollsters want to hear, and until recently, they thought in order to be a "good person" you had to support Obama. That all changed with Sarah Palin's nomination, and I think the polls are starting to show that.