Presidential Debate 1 - Oxford Mississippi

Senators Obama and McCain participated in the first Presidential debate held in Oxford Mississippi. Senator Obama held his own and more in foreign policy and took control of the debate for the most part and passed the Commander in Chief test. McCain was more emotional but looked uncomfortable on the stage and called Obama naive and said he lacked the knowledge and experience to be president. Is he shifting back to campaigning on "experience" rather than change? What was surprising however, was the fact that McCain attended the debate at all. McCain changed his position earlier today and decided to attend the debate even though an agreement on the banking deal was not imminent. McCain There appears to be a pattern of unpredictability here with the McCain campaign, and this effort appears to have backfired according to several conservative commentators.

Now to the latest polls, a new Rassmussen poll in Virginia has Obama leading 50-45%, accordingly Virginia now moves from tossup to weak Obama.

In the Senate, new polls now show Merkley (D) ahead of Smith (R) in the Oregon Senate race, increasing the Senate gains to 6 seats.

Vote Projections for 25 September 2008

McCain suspends campaign? Yes, John McCain said he was suspending his campaign to work on the $700 billion financial industry bailout legislation and he said he may not show up for the debate on Friday if Congress does not pass a bill. Will Obama have to debate by himself in Mississippi tomorrow?

The polls are now moving Obama's way, which may have been why we saw McCain's "Hail Mary" pass to suspend his campaign and pospone the debate. A couple of changes to the presidential projections today. North Carolina is now rated a tossup, as a new poll has Obama ahead bo 2 points coupled with a poll earlier in the week that had McCain ahead by 3 points. Colorado has a new poll showing Obama ahead by 9 points. Ohio is very close, either tied or McCain by 1, but Ohio stays at Weak McCain for now.

In the Senate projections, one change is Begich (D) is now leading Ted Stephens (R) for Senate in Alaska by 50-44% according to the most recent poll. Ted Stephens' trial for corruption started today in Federal court.

Vote Projections Updated 22 September 2008

Polls now show Obama pulling away from McCain in National polls, with most polls showing Obama ahead by 5 points. In the state polls, Virginia is trending to Obama and Colorado has a poll with Obama ahead by 10 points. We will have to see if this holds. If this trend continues, Obama will be in a good position and would not have to pick up Ohio or Florida to win the nomination. Pennsylvania remains close but still shows Obama ahead by about 3 points. Ohio and Florida are still showing McCain ahead by about 5 points.

In the Senate Hagan (D) is now ahead of Dole (R) for the North Carolina Senate seat, resulting in Democrats picking up a projected 6 seats.