Running Out Of Gas

As McCain kicks off his "Jobs First" tour in CO, the RNC launches its first Obama attack ad on energy policy (while also taking a swipe at GOPers). Can either help McCain gain traction?

--- McCain's "I can balance the budget by '13" message runs at a time when voters are more skeptical than ever about GOP's fiscal discipline. NBC/WSJ polling says the last time voters saw GOPers as stronger on the federal deficit was 9/07. By 1/08, Dems had a 22-pt advantage. Can McCain's maverick profile help to erase that deficit?

-- Even on taxes, another reliable GOP point-of-attack (and something McCain highlights in his speech today), the latest Gallup/USAT poll shows Obama leading by 9 pts.

-- But energy may be an area where the GOP and McCain can find some openings. Obama continues to lead McCain on who'd best handle energy issues. But as gas prices continue to rise, voters are showing more support for expanding exploration and less for conservation. Framing Obama as unwilling to expand energy options may be the best way for McCain to get the liberal label to stick.