Do you think Obama can win the nomination?  

Read and respond.

Aug. 7, 2007 – In a poll released today, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is falling further behind his chief rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) for the Democratic presidential nomination.

  What’s going on? 

The poll taken by USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds Clinton’s lead over the Illinois senator has risen 8 percent in the last three weeks.  Clinton is now 22 percentage points ahead with 48 percent of likely Democratic voters thinking she is the better choice.
Obama has been getting some flack from pundits since he remarking in the last Democratic debate that he would speak with leaders who are known enemy’s of the United States. But I don’t think that’s the only reason for his falling numbers. 

Let’s face it; his numbers were rising as he became better known. Now folks are deciding if he’s the candidate for them.  It’s early in the race, and poll numbers will continue to go up and down whenever candidates say something compelling or stumble.  

The latest numbers should be a wake-up call for Obama’s team.  He’s out there, and he’s got to start running without the “rock-star” status and the mystique that surrounded him when he first stepped onto the national scene.

Clinton also realized that he’s the man to beat, and she’s being more forceful against her opponents, including Obama.  Now we’ll have to see how Obama will fight back. 

Mark Penn, Clinton’s chief strategist, told USA Today, “People are seeing her as the one ready to be president.” 

Obama’s spokesman, Bill Burton, said, “National polls may go up and down before people actually start voting, but their irrelevance will not.” 

Both candidates are heading to Las Vegas this week to speak at the convention of the National Association of Black Journalists.  I’ll be there and along with my colleagues to hear what they have to say.  

I’ll keep you posted.

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