The Washington Post finds that, in a new poll, the races in several battleground states--Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Minnesota--are very close (Obama and McCain either essentially ties or Obama slightly ahead) and haven't changed much in the last 3 months or so.
The Post seems surprised that the race hasn't changed much in 3 months.
But there are easy explanations for that. First of all, remember that most Americans aren't that interested in politics, and don't follow it all that closely (unlike me, or folks like you who read blogs like this). Second: I think what many Americans do, though, when it comes to voting, is they wait for a few big events in the campaigns. And those would be, first, the two parties' conventions (out of which both candidates got a boost, but I think McCain got a slightly bigger buzz coming out of his, thanks to Sarah Palin); and second, the presidential debates.
The debates always get huge audiences, especially the first and last debates; and I think a lot of Americans tell themselves that they will make up their minds after the debates.
So no wonder things haven't changed much. Americans are waiting for the debates.
