Obama ahead in historic Halloween poll

With polling continuing to give Obama a clear advantage, Across the Pond can now reveal dramatic results from the most authoritative, and possibly democratic, poll of all. The American consumer has spoken. With just 14 days until Halloween and 18 days to the election, the Obama Halloween mask appears to have established an insurmountable lead as 2008's costume of choice.

Halloween masks have history as a litmus test of America's choice. In 2004, Bush masks outsold Kerry two to one at the US's biggest seller of Halloween masks, Spirit Halloween. Sceptics leaning towards other explanations for this phenomenon - by 2004, few things stood the chance of terrifying frayed Americans like encountering George W in the shadows of their porch, ringing on their doorbell - should bear with the evidence. Gore sold 14 per cent fewer masks in 2000, and in 1996 Clinton masks won with 71 per cent of sales.

So what are the masks telling us this year? The riff blog has surveyed the outlets.

Amazon currently has Obama leading by seven points, unnervingly close to Real Clear Politics' average of more conventional national polls, which gives him a 6.8 point lead, (though here, as in latest national polls, Obama's economics favour him: at only $12.90, his mask, as Mother Jones points out, is five cents most affordable than McCain's).

Over at Buycostumes.com, which boasts 'The Official 2008 Presidential Mask Poll', Obama is ahead 54 to 46. Nothing though is set in stone. Sarah Palin masks are outselling Joe Biden three to one.

Their page also has a US map giving a state by state breakdown that includes some surprising results: Texas and Mississippi appear to have turned blue, while Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine will be overwhelming behind McCain this season (if only a cardboard representation of his face). Compare their results with RCP's more traditional electoral map, and it's obvious someone's method has unravelled along the line. I wouln't like to hazard a guess which.

Comments

[Jess]

How about that Bookie there in London who has paid off the bets & declared Obama as the winner already ? Is This typical British Impudence ,as our election is still several weeks away? You dear British have somewhat miscalculated the Yanks before,you know.
Never count the Republicans Out till it is done,as their black bag of many tricks is very big.Please do Remember,the show ain't over ''till the fat lady sings''.