Inessentials

In what might turn into a recurring series, I thought I would mention a couple myths about the current election. These myths are ones I’ve heard reported from various news sources or editorials, but simply aren’t true. Repeated often, but not true.

Myth #1: Obama has a problem with Latino voters, an area where McCain is making inroads.

Actually, Latinos are polling for Obama at 62% and for McCain at 28%. By contrast, the sitting president captured over 40% of the Hispanic vote in 2004.

Myth #2: Obama has a problem with support from white women. Female supporters of Hillary Clinton are flocking to McCain.

Actually, despite a few public announcements by white women who were campaigning for Clinton, women are overwhelmingly supporting Obama, 51% to 38%, and white women support Obama by 6 points. By contrast, Kerry’s final lead among women was only 3%.

Myth #3: McCain flip-flopped on off-shore drilling.

Actually, there’s no reason to assume that McCain changed his policy position for political reasons (what I think is meant by “flip-flopping”). It’s perfectly consistent to have the position, “no off-shore drilling except when demand is so high that it pushes gas to over $4 per gallon.” McCain deserves the benefit of the doubt here.