McCain and Obama Square Off in Second Presidential Debate as McCain Falls in Polls

Both campaigns seem to have pulled off the gloves heading into the second presidential debate on Tuesday, October 7, being held in Nashville, Tennessee. Senator John McCain is asking his audiences to question who Barack Obama actually is, and Sarah Palin is blatantly insinuating that Senator Obama is a domestic terrorist, citing his past acquaintanceship with known 1960's radical William Ayers. Senator Barack Obama told audiences that Senator McCain was "erratic," "out of touch," and launched a website, KeatingEconomics.com, which shows a documentary about the Keating 5, a group of five senators (including Senator McCain), who were involved in the 1989 Savings & Loan collapse and were indicted on charges of corruption.

And, of course, both parties blame the other for starting the mudslinging.

Senator Obama Rising In The Polls

Regardless of who flung the first verbal or visual handful of mud, the fact remains that the McCain camp is floundering and falling further behind in the polls. The latest CNN/ Opinion Research Poll places Senator Obama ahead of Senator McCain by 8 points, 53% to 45%, double the lead he enjoyed in mid-September. CNN's Poll of Polls, which incorporates Gallup and Hotline tracking numbers, places Senator Obama 6 points ahead.

Paul Steinhauser, CNN's deputy political director, reports that several factors seem to be working against Senator McCain at present: the failing economy, president Bush's popularity (24%, tying the worst numbers ever - with Richard Nixon - for a sitting president), and the falling popularity of his running mate, Governor Sarah Palin.

Despite his best efforts, Senator McCain does not seem to be getting enough distance between himself and the lame duck administration of George W. Bush. CNN's survey shows that 56% of Americans believe that McCain will continue the policies of the Bush administration. And the initial impetus and luster that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin seemed to bring to the Republican ticket seems to be on the wane. Survey numbers indicate that Sarah Palin's unfavorability rating has risen to 40%, up from 27% a month ago.