About the only thing swinging as wildly as the Dow these days are political polls.
Depending on to whom you ask, Barack Obama could be anywhere from 2 to 12 points ahead in Pennsylvania.
Now that’s what I call a margin of error.
But even the most optimistic of believers for the democrats know that Pennsylvania isn’t a given.
That’s why the candidates continue to include the Commonwealth in their personal appearances, landing in places like Hershey and Philly, Pittsburgh and Burgettstown.
As of this writing, only Republican Party VP candidate Sarah Palin is making it as far north as Erie, with a visit to Penn State Behrend and a rally in the Bayfront Convention Center.
While the Big Race retains at least some hint of intrigue, the question for me now becomes one of coattails.
Would a sizeable Barack Obama win in Pennsylvania help push newcomer Kathy Dahlkemper into Congress over 14-year incumbent Phil English?
Would a McCain “upset” here bring a reprieve for English?
And just how far down the line would the coattails reach?
Would they extend into state races, like the Cindy Purvis bid to upset Republican incumbent state senator Jane Earll or Rick Mitchell’s effort to unseat Harborcreek state lawmaker Curt Sonney?
There’s no question that the Obama campaign has energized young first time voters.
Erie County is setting a record with new registrations this year.
Those voters, most of them D’s, will undoubtedly wind up in Obama’s column.
But will they work to oust incumbents anywhere they can, or will they break rank and elect to hold onto the experience of a Phil English while supporting the change sought by Obama?
I know two things:
All of this adds up to one of the most historic and anticipated elections of our lifetimes.
And, one way or the other, all of these questions will have answers, when next we speak on Wednesday.