The Page

CAMPAIGN SCORECARD [This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

ROUND 1 2 3 4 ISSUE Infighting Accuracy Rate Momentum Expectation-Setting ACTION The unseemly spectacle of anonymous Palin allies’ criticizing her handling by McCain staffers, followed by McCain aides sliming Palin as a “diva” and “whack job,” was too alluring for the media to ignore. In comparison, Obama’s arch remark that Joe Biden can be given to “rhetorical flourishes” looked positively friendly. Another typical week in the message wars. Democrats methodically fired laser-guided missiles at McCain (that he’s in lockstep with Bush and represents more of the same), while Republicans hurled every pot and pan within reach at the Teflon opposition (Obama is a socialist; Obama is a celebrity, etc.). The occasional GOP bull’s-eye was overshadowed by many misses. The Obama campaign is enjoying the strongest close of a presidential-election effort in recent memory: mammoth crowds–more than 100,000 at a rally in St. Louis, Mo.–massive spending and poll numbers above 50% in some national and state surveys. A political body in motion tends to stay in motion unless thwarted, and the Democrats kept rolling along. Given their dire situation, Republicans have done an outstanding job sounding the alarm at the prospect of full Democratic control of Congress and the White House, while also remaining upbeat in public about their own chances on Election Day. But the Democrats have ably balanced a display of growing confidence with a stern warning to supporters about the dangers of complacency.

RESULTS [This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS X X X TIE X

WINNER OF THE WEEK: DEMOCRATS

Republicans cursed the media and, increasingly, one another, without altering the race. Continued economic concern–and presumptuous speculation about an Obama presidency–made a GOP breakthrough seem even more remote.

NOT ALL ROUNDS ARE CREATED EQUAL

The week’s winner is based on the relative importance of each fight and by how much the winner takes each round.

WEEK BY WEEK [This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. TOTAL WEEKS WON REPUBLICANS TIE X TIE X TIE X X TIE X X X 7 DEMOCRATS X X X X X X X X X X X X 12

TIME/CNN Poll. Obama still up in some Bush states

While Mccain is ahead in Georgia and Missouri, Obama is holding strong in some key red states.

COLORADO

TIME/CNN poll: OBAMA 53, MCCAIN 45 2004 election results: BUSH 52, KERRY 47

FLORIDA

TIME/CNN poll: OBAMA 51, MCCAIN 47 2004 election results: BUSH 52, KERRY 47

GEORGIA

TIME/CNN poll: MCCAIN 52, OBAMA 47 2004 election results: BUSH 58, KERRY 41

MISSOURI

TIME/CNN poll: MCCAIN 50, OBAMA 48 2004 election results: BUSH 53, KERRY 46

VIRGINIA

TIME/CNN poll: OBAMA 53, MCCAIN 44 2004 election results: BUSH 54, KERRY 45

Get Out The Vote

Read Mark Halperin every day at thepage.time.com

All interviews were conducted via telephone by Opinion Research Corp. Oct. 23-28, 2008. Results are among likely voters, with all five polls having an error margin of 3.5 percentage points.