Rasmussen reports that 58% of those surveyed believe Sen. Obama denounced Rev. Wright this week for political reasons with only 30% believing it was because of genuine outrage. Meanwhile 56% believe it is “somewhat likely” Obama shares some similar views to Wright, 26% believe it’s “very likely” he shares similar views.

Surprisingly 48% of Democrats believe he shares views with Wright and 49% of independents say the same.

In Indianapolis Obama said today “We have had a rough couple of weeks, I won’t deny that,”

While I was writing about Senator Obama’s position on the proposed gas tax holiday suspension Senator Clinton upped the ante, calling on Congress to take an up or down vote for or against the measure. What does it mean? It means her rival, Senator Obama, would have to either abstain or vote against a tax decrease, something that would hurt him in the general election along with other Democrats who are up for reelection and would face negative attack ads from rivals at home.

“Do they stand with the hard pressed Americans who are trying to pay their gas bills at the gas station, or do they once again stand with the oil companies?” she asked. Saying she’ll put the question to them soon in the form of legislation, Clinton said “I want them to tell us, are they with us or against us when it comes to taking on the oil companies?”

I will be the first to admit that removing the federal gas tax for the summer, in economic terms, is a big waste of time. But that conclusion is based on a logical argument and logical arguments don’t make for wonderful election issues.

Both Senator Clinton & McCain support a federal suspension of the gas tax, the revenue of which mostly goes toward construction. Some states including my own are also considering removing the state taxes on gas for the summer. Here in NY the combination of both would equal a good chunk of savings. Nancy Pelosi has announced that the issue is dead on arrival in Congress.

Senator Obama has been attacking both of his rivals over the issue for the last few days saying they are “pandering” to the people and now news comes that he will release an ad on the subject.

My take? I think the only thing dumber than a gas tax suspension is opposing it. Here is why.

First and foremost, of course Clinton and McCain are “pandering”, that is what campaigning is. Do you think Senator Obama would have been bowling a few weeks ago if he wasn’t pandering to voters?

Second the fall election is going to be about taxes and War. Like it or not Senator Obama is going to find it hard to distance himself from the traditional vision of a spend-happy liberal who likes hiking taxes. Putting himself out to the public as someone who opposes a tax decrease, especially one that effects voters directly, won’t help. This isn’t the same as arguing against massive tax cuts for people who makes millions, it is about saving Americans a few dollars.

Yes the economists mock the estimated $30 savings over the summer from the suspension of the federal tax. What they miss is the fact that Americans are willing to do almost anything for a few extra bucks, especially when they are hurting. Have these economists never seen a reality TV show where contestants vie for prizes and walk away with nothing including the loss of their dignity? Have they never seen the way average Americans are willing to sell away their private data to win a gift card or an LCD TV?

Obama is also missing out on something else, the way this tax would effect small business owners, delivery workers and a host of others who rely on transportation for income. To these people the savings would equate to much more savings. Yes you can argue the oil companies would simply raise the prices, but lets face facts they are going to raise prices regardless. Action is always preferable to non-action when campaigning. Yes you can go to far but if people see a positive result, even for a temporary period, they are inclined to have a positive view of those who brought it to them.

In short all of us who aren’t in Washington are hurting, even if its just a little bit. Our 401k’s are sinking, our homes are devaluing, our local taxes are rising and we are looking at politicians who promise the moon but rarely deliver.

Elections are rarely about logic or reason but the human connection and the desire for goodness and progress in a system that hardly ever produces either.

Everything you need to know about the Democratic Primary in 7 minutes.

Cillizilla and The Electoral Map sums up the strangeness inside an Obama memo touting his electability. The problem is that some of the states the campaign lists in “traditional battlegrounds” and “new states” that could be captured by Dems are, well, anything but.

The Obama campaign suggests they could perform well in the states of:
Colorado, North Dakota, Virginia, Montana and Texas.

Seriously? Texas? Virginia? Sorry but that you have to hit the change bong a few too many times to think Texas is going Dem.

As for battlegrounds:

Iowa, North Carolina, Oregon, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

As Electoral Map points out North Dakota and Montana are by no means battleground states, they are Republican states. I still see Iowa, Wisconsin and Oregon as difficult terrain too.

Yes there has been a flood of democratic registration, I remember the same being said in 2004 just before the election. Yes Obama is doing well WITH DEMOCRATS and some independents in Republican states, but again these are with Democrats.

Meanwhile as Chris Cizilla notes, no mention of Ohio & Florida which according to polling seem like wins once again for Republicans meaning Obama really would have to win Texas in order to compete.

Who would Hillary Clinton date if she were given a pass for anyone living or dead? Abraham Lincoln… yeah that would be a real hot night… Plus she has never heard of Red Bull.

Who in the world dreams up these stupid questions? Oh yes, People Magazine.