Free Republic

If the Republican presidential nominee seems to have an extra spring in his step and twinkle in his smile as he campaigns with his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, at his side, it is understandable. Palin's star power has swelled the crowds at McCain's rallies to match that usually enjoyed by their Democratic opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, another beneficiary of a blockbuster convention speech. McCain's post-convention bump in the polls wiped out Obama's bump from the Democratic convention. Even more newsworthy for a Republican candidate, McCain even surged ahead of Obama among white women, a must-win demographic for Democrats...

Fresh polls show that he has been unable to convert weeks of extensive media coverage into a widened lead. And some prominent Democrats whose support could boost his campaign are still not enthusiastic about his candidacy. Several new surveys show that Obama is in a tight race or even losing ground to Republican John McCain, both nationally and in two important swing states, Colorado and Minnesota. One new poll offered a possible explanation for his troubles: A minority of voters see Obama as a familiar figure with whom they can identify. Many voters still seem to be puzzling over who...