The American Spectator

“We’re at the point now where voters are looking to see a specific plan, and Obama’s not winning there,” one veteran conservative operative told me yesterday. “Joe Biden didn’t help him any by saying it’s ‘patriotic’ to pay more taxes.”

THE MEDIA’S RELENTLESS attacks may have hurt Palin’s poll standing, but more than three weeks after she was announced as McCain’s running mate, the Alaska governor has at least survived, despite Democratic efforts to “Eagletonize” her. Palin continues to draw huge, enthusiastic crowds, and she will have a chance to cut through the media filter in her Oct. 2 debate with Joe Biden.

Media bias can only carry Obama so far. This Friday, the Democrat will square off against McCain in the first of their three debates. At the Obama campaign’s insistence, Friday’s topic will be foreign policy, which might end up being a pitch into the Republican’s wheelhouse, giving McCain an opportunity to hammer Obama for his opposition to the surge in Iraq.

No poll numbers or headlines between now and Friday are as likely to influence the final outcome of election as much as this first debate. Obama has avoided debates since his poor showing in April against Clinton in Philadelphia, and also did poorly in a Sept. 16 forum at California’s Saddleback Church.

If Obama doesn’t turn in a solid performance Friday, his recent poll advantage could fade quickly. A week from now, Democrats may find themselves pushing the panic button again.