From the ArcaMax Publishing, Politics Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/politics/s-372949-430103
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Republican political analysts say they are
surprised that the U.S. presidential race is so close, given the
handicaps facing their party.
John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, is burdened by an
unpopular Republican president and an economy heading downhill. But
many polls show McCain in a statistical tie with Democrat Barack
Obama.
ABC News political correspondent George Stephanopolous, a veteran of
the 1992 campaign of President Bill Clinton, said that many people in
both parties think that Obama is 5 to 8 points ahead of McCain. The
most recent Gallup poll gave Obama only a 2-point advantage.
The race has remained close since Sen. Hillary Clinton abandoned her
campaign after the last primaries. This is in spite of turmoil in
McCain's campaign staff.
Steve Schmidt, a veteran Republican operative, is now in charge of
day-to-day operations, replacing Rick Davis. Davis is credited with
rescuing McCain's campaign after it stalled early on.