Wisconsin is saying we're heading in the wrong direction, and they're not talking about Brett Favre ['we'll always have Green Bay'].

A record-low seventeen percent of Wisconsin voters think the country is going in the right direction, according a new poll conducted by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, a right-leaning public policy think tank.

And yet, everyone will note, Obama leads McCain by only 44% to 38% among likely voters in the same poll.

So what? For one thing, the polls are generating much angst among those terrified that McSame will win in November.

But as a writer at MyDD scoffs, 'We're Doooooooooooooooomed!'

The point is well-taken

Does anyone know when in the last 48 years (arguably the modern era) has a non-incumbent presidential nominee of any party ever been ahead by, say, eight points in early August polling?

I can't recall any time, maybe going back to Ike in '52? If anyone has any data, please post it.

This can't close-the-deal crap pushed by Will, Novak (hope his health improves), and others is bullshit.

The corporate talking heads are pushing the 'horserace' for their corporate masters to sell air time; and the race, such as it is, sees McCain way out of his league. But the corporate broadcast media will not say that.

As Alan Abramowitz, Thomas E. Mann, and Larry J. Sabato write:

... virtually all of the evidence that we have reviewed--historical patterns, structural features of this election cycle, and national and state polls conducted over the last several months--point to a comfortable Obama/Democratic party victory in November. Trumpeting this race as a toss-up, almost certain to produce another nail-biter finish, distorts the evidence and does a disservice to readers and viewers who rely upon such punditry.