Romney trying to attract independents.

[soulflower]

That's a very quick change of heart. From landslide to closer than last time. I don't know how it will end up. Plenty of time between now and November. Anything can happen. I still would make Obama the favorite and his election to lose, but the fact that Romney can still poll close to him after all of the beatings the republican primary put on him at least gives him a shot. I do think there are a lot of young people who voted for Obama the last time that won't show up this time around. They aren't likely to jump to the Romney campaign, they just won't be as energized. Obama is not likely to recruit a lot of new young people either as he is now a known quantity and will not be able to use a hope and change mantra to entice them. Not they they either will go for Romney. I think it will be a lot closer this time. If the economy slows, and gas prices don't come down, it could get very interesting. The American public almost always votes with their wallets, and if those wallets are taking a beating over the summer anything is possible.

I said a landslide is possible. My second post didn't contradict my earlier one. I think the race could get closer as we get closer to election day but a landslide is still a possibility.

[cprenegade]

My gut says it is still Obama's race to lose, but it is not a forgone conclusion. The economy is still in a very slow growth mode, and anything from overseas could slow that pace very quickly. The stock market is volitale and can gain one day, lose the next. Gas prices are high, but could come down, or move even higher. Instability in the mideast makes anything far from predictable. The supreme court will give a ruling on the health care mandate in June. That is unpredictable, although most analysts believe they will strike down the mandate as unconstitutional and leave the rest. All of these things, and possibly some others that are yet unseen will factor into what happens in November. Either way, all I can do is vote, and comment on my feelings. No matter who wins, it really won't change my life all that much.

[banner1124]

Romney needs to start getting people to vote for him instead of just against Obama. Recent polling suggests that a large majority of folks who are in the Romney camp are actually voting against Obama as opposed to for Romney. Unless he can reverse that trend I don't see how he stands a chance.