Regarding my optimism, there’s this: Gallup’s latest poll has Obama up seven six points. Keep in mind that these polls were taken before Bill Clinton, John Kerry, and Joe Biden spoke yesterday. But also remember we have no idea how soft this bounce is, and how the Republican convention or McCain’s VP pick tomorrow will affect it. Nonetheless, it’s an unambiguously positive sign for the Democrats.

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—Tim Fernholz

Tim Fernholz is a former staff writer for the Prospect. His work has been published by Newsweek, The New Republic, The Nation, The Guardian, and The Daily Beast. He is also a Research Fellow at the New America Foundation.