Observers who claim Obama’s success is only because of luck and a bad economy are seriously underestimating his skills as a politician. What Democrat, other than Obama, could have turned one of the most successful Republican talking points of the last 30 years completely on its head. Take a look at this nugget from the latest CBS poll showing Obama with a 14-point lead:
Which candidate will raise your taxes? Respondents, by 51% to 46%, say it’s McCain.
Now compare that with a Gallup poll from September in which 53% of respondents said Obama would raise their taxes, compared to 34% who said McCain.
Yes, it is in part due to political malpractice on McCain’s part. But until recently, McCain hit Obama harder on taxes than perhaps any other issue, and not only is Obama still standing, he’s winning the argument.