1) From Rasmussen Reports, “The Daily Presidential Tracking Poll” by Scott Rasmussen Over the weekend, I was having an impromptu conversation with the McCain campaign’s deputy director of online communications. During our chat, I predicted, “Your guy will be within two points of Obama in the Rasmussen tracking poll by the end of the week.” I mention this anecdote not merely to highlight the tantalizing list of glittering political all-stars that I habitually hobnob with, but also to illustrate how the fact that Obama was damaging his campaign narrative with his serial flip-flops was easily foreseeable. Lo and behold, in today’s Rasmussen tracking poll, McCain has pulled to within two points. Obviously this has nothing to do with anything the McCain campaign has done. In spite of the McCainiacs’ best efforts, balanced-budget-mania has yet to sweep the nation. And the candidate’s over-the-top disparaging of social security hasn’t served as a bracing helping of straight talk that has energized his campaign. In order to preserve whatever dwindling chances I have of someday getting a seat on the Straight Talk Express, I will only mention in passing this week’s cloddish efforts of campaign surrogates Carly Fiorina and Phil Gramm. A few days ago, we discussed how this campaign will boil down to Obama vs. Not Obama. Not Obama had a very good week. 2) From Real Clear Politics, “What’s Wrong With Senator Obama” by Bob Beckel. Beckel’s article takes a sympathetic look at his 14 year-old son’s plight. In short, the lad has stopped swooning: