From The Nation
By John Nichols

The new Washington Post-ABC News poll is out, and the numbers are astounding.

No, we’re not talking about Barack Obama’s lead, although let’s be clear that a 53-42 advantage over John McCain among likely voters — and an even stronger 54-41 lead among registered voters — is impressive.

But those numbers simply confirm an advantage that has been consistent ever since the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates put convention theatrics — including GOP vice presidential pick Sarah Palin — behind them are started debating. In fact, the Real Clear Politics “poll-of-polls” give Obama an only marginally less-striking 7 point lead over McCain.

What is astounding is the right-direction/wrong-direction question.

Pollsters frequently ask something along the lines of this WP-ABC inquiry: “Do you think things in this country (are generally going in the right direction) or do you feel things (have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track)?”

First, let’s get some perspective:

Going into the 2004 presidential election, the split was 41 percent “right direction,” 55 precent “wrong direction.” Hardly pop-the-corks numbers, but fair enough for an incumbent party. And George Bush held onto the White House, while Republicans kept the Congress.

Read more Obama