Changes

The edge continued as the Republican convention began.  Losing a day to the hurricane, their shortened convention came out strong as well, emphasizing John McCain as a patriot and a maverick for change who is tested and will do what is right for the country regardless of political affiliation.  It was notable for the secondary role that the sitting President played, talking only briefly and barely being mentioned after that.  The convention tied McCain to [[Ronald Reagan]], a popular Republican President who was able to gain the support of a good number of conservative Democrats, an ability that McCain would badly need to emulate.  While the convention had very high ratings starting with Palin's well received speech, it was unclear what the impact would be in the polls.  Indeed Obama continued to lead directly afterward, but that soon changed with a turn of about 8 points and a slim lead for McCain.  The Republican convention had actually more than balanced out the powerful Democratic convention.

The edge continued as the Republican convention began.  Losing a day to the hurricane, their shortened convention came out strong as well, emphasizing John McCain as a patriot and a maverick for change who is tested and will do what is right for the country regardless of political affiliation.  It was notable for the secondary role that the sitting President played, talking only briefly and barely being mentioned after that.  The convention tied McCain to [[Ronald Reagan]], a popular Republican President who was able to gain the support of a good number of conservative Democrats, an ability that McCain would badly need to emulate.  While the convention had very high ratings starting with Palin's well received speech, it was unclear what the impact would be in the polls.  Indeed Obama continued to lead directly afterward, but that soon changed with a turn of about 8 points and a slim lead for McCain.  The Republican convention had actually more than balanced out the powerful Democratic convention.

While Obama had stated that his campaign would avoid negative advertising, as it became clear that the bounce from the convention was continuing to last and he might lose the election, his campaign turned more forcefully to negative advertising.  In ads aired since the Republican convention through mid September, McCain's ads were about Obama 56% of the time, but Obama's ads were about his opponents 77% of the time.<ref>http://news.aol.com/article/campaign-ads-not-getting-much-air-time/142625</ref>  Obama also received a large boost from the press which vigorously attacked McCain, but even more so Palin.  Obama appeared on ''[[O'Reilly Factor|The O'Reilly Factor]]'' and was treated with civility and respect, even if not with agreement.  McCain and his wife appeared on ''The View'' and were treated like last week's gutter trash.  The constant negative barrage and reporting slowly moved the numbers back to even.

While Obama had stated that his campaign would avoid negative advertising, as it became clear that the bounce from the convention was continuing to last and he might lose the election, his campaign turned more forcefully to negative advertising.  In ads aired since the Republican convention through mid September, McCain's ads were about Obama 56% of the time, but Obama's ads were about his opponents 77% of the time.<ref>http://news.aol.com/article/campaign-ads-not-getting-much-air-time/142625</ref>  Obama also received a large boost from the press which vigorously attacked McCain, but even more so Palin.  Obama appeared on ''[[O'Reilly Factor|The O'Reilly Factor]]'' and was treated with civility and respect, even if not with agreement.  McCain and his wife appeared on ''The View'' and faced a much more antagonistic interview.  The constant negative barrage and reporting slowly moved the numbers back to even.

As the negative articles on Palin continued to intensify, some of which just quoted celebrities who had never met her calling her "whacko" or a "hater of women", her first major interview with Gibson was a turning point.  Gibson asked Palin about the Bush Doctrine, but wouldn't define it for her even as she asked questions for clarifications.  When she then answered with her understanding, Gibson rebuked her by implying that she misunderstood the doctrine.  In truth, since the term is only a press invention, it has taken on different meanings at different times and the definition that Palin gave matched one that Gibson himself had used years earlier.  Nevertheless, it was a moment and was jumped on by the press.  Those who saw the interview voted heavily that they were now less likely to vote for Palin.  The attack on her had muted her effectiveness, even if it was unjustified.

As the negative articles on Palin continued to intensify, some of which just quoted celebrities who had never met her calling her "whacko" or a "hater of women", her first major interview with Gibson was a turning point.  Gibson asked Palin about the Bush Doctrine, but wouldn't define it for her even as she asked questions for clarifications.  When she then answered with her understanding, Gibson rebuked her by implying that she misunderstood the doctrine.  In truth, since the term is only a press invention, it has taken on different meanings at different times and the definition that Palin gave matched one that Gibson himself had used years earlier.  Nevertheless, it was a moment and was jumped on by the press.  Those who saw the interview voted heavily that they were now less likely to vote for Palin.  The attack on her had muted her effectiveness, even if it was unjustified.