Oh. I'm sorry. This time it's just an "edge." Same reporter*, new angle. And this time (get this!) the "edge" Obama has is all about the economy! Everything else remains narrow.
President Obama has taken away Mitt Romney’s longstanding advantage as the candidate voters say is most likely to restore the economy and create jobs, according to the latest poll by The New York Times and CBS News, which found a modest sense of optimism among Americans that White House policies are working.
But while the climate for Mr. Obama has improved since midsummer, and Mr. Romney has failed to shift sentiment decisively in his favor, the poll found that the presidential race is narrowly divided. ...NYT
"Edge" = campaign money? Otherwise, in what category of campaigning can Romney still find territory to stand on?
Silly question. Romney's holding on with money and those relentless, costly ads.
The nationwide poll was conducted during a turbulent week in the campaign, with a new torrent of television ads from Mr. Romney, a disappointing jobs report for Mr. Obama and both candidates reacting to deadly violence in Egypt, Libya and across the Arab world. ...NYT
Otherwise, it's an almost empty scorecard for the Romney campaign. Obama has a 10-point lead in foreign policy, 12-point lead with women, 6-point lead with independents. Even his supporters sound reluctant, doubtful:
“We’re getting further behind,” said Gregory Sowin, 55, an independent voter from Kewaskum, Wis., who owns a bar and a construction business and is frustrated by health care and other policies of the administration. In a follow-up interview, he said, “Romney can’t do any worse than Obama has done, and I’m betting my future that he can do better.” ...NYT
The reason Romney has any kind of hope left is this: "...Among the probable electorate, which models likely voters and typically reflects the tendency of Republicans to turn out more consistently at the polls, the candidates are running far closer."
In other words, all Democrats, Progressives, and left-leaning independents have to do is turn out at the polls.
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9/17/12: Update: We are right to be a little doubtful about Jeff Zeleny's reporting. Over the weekend, he showed more than a little bias.
Mr. Romney's campaign now has a feeling of desperation.
This perception drives him to say more and more desperate things.
It is like an airplane going into a tailspin.
Very hard to pull out of such a downward spiral.
Posted by: DGarr | September 16, 2012 at 08:17 AM