It’s only Day 1 of the Democratic Convention, and there’s already drama for Barack Obama. First, things aren’t looking so certain in the polls. CNN reports that the race is a “dead heat”: “In a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll out Sunday night, 47 percent of those questioned are backing Obama with an equal amount supporting the Arizona senator.” Don Surber explains, “This month, after his rock star world tour before 200,000 people in Berlin–and after picking as his running mate Democratic Sen. Joe Biden–Obama is now tied with McCain.” What happened? Jules Crittenden says, “Obama-Biden ‘08 going nowhere fast. Post-announcement poll shows Biden choice sucking whatever life was left out of Obama’s campaign.” Hot Air’s Ed Morrissey cites a Rasmussen poll that says only 39 percent think Biden was the right choice: “Not only has Biden not helped Obama, it looks like he’s actually damaging the ticket with his addition. He certainly hasn’t added any enthusiasm to the Democratic offering.” Meanwhile, there are signs of “Democratic disunity,” says Townhall’s Amanda Carpenter. The Politico reports tensions between the Clinton and Obama camps, and the Washington Times reports that some Hillary supporters are not too happy that she wasn’t even vetted for the VP slot. At Contentions, Jennifer Rubin says, “The real Hillary supporters are mad. Obama’s decision to put forth absolutely no effort to vet her (would an hour meeting and a request for documents have killed them?), after suggesting she would be on anyone’s short list, stings.” Hot Air’s Allahpundit retorts, “how insane it is that nominees have to contest 50 grueling primaries/caucuses to win the nomination but the next in line to the throne if they’re elected is chosen purely on their own say so. If the wisdom of Democratic voters is trustworthy enough to pick the top half of the ticket (superdelegates notwithstanding), why isn’t it trustworthy enough to pick the bottom half?” And although she is planning to release her delegates on Wednesday, Allahpundit also notes that a large percentage are “planning to go PUMA” (Party Unity, My Ass!, for the uninitiated). Talk Left’s Big Tent Democrat says, “Obama did not optimize his chances for winning in November when he chose not to choose Hillary Clinton. All the whining and complaining about PUMAS is not going to help that.” It’s going to be an interesting week!
