Political battlegrounds and polls

Some of my immediate friends have commented on the recent polls that have Bush gain some grounds over Kerry. But just now I read a blog entry that analyzes the data more close, coming up with some very interesting results:

“… Kerry’s favorabilty rating remained unchanged in the battleground states and that persuadable voters were uninclined to drink the Republican Kool-Aid about Kerry flip-flopping, believing Bush, more than Kerry, exhibited that behavior.”

“Note also that Bush’s approval rating in the battleground states is 49 percent, 2 points under his national rating and that his approval rating on the economy in these states is just 41 percent, 3 points under his national rating.” (link)

I really think this guy is onto something. Essentially he says that while Bush may have more votes on total, he lacks them in the areas where they will count most. Because of the Electoral College some areas are worth more than others, which also lead to Bush “getting” the presidency in 2000 when the Supreme Court ruled he had won Florida.

Ironically what got him “elected” last time may cost him his office this time.