Democrats fret about Barack Obama's small lead in the polls

Barack Obama, before flying with his family today for a week's holiday in Hawaii, the state where he grew up, expressed concern about taking a break in election year. "During the middle of a campaign you're always worried about taking some time off," he said. He is not the only one worried. He leaves behind a Democratic party that over the last fortnight has been showing signs for the first time of nervousness about the November 4 election. For them, this is supposed to be the Democrats' year, an inevitable march towards the White House after the catastrophic defeats of 2000 and 2004. Almost everything seems to be going their way: unpopular president, disenchantment with the Iraq war, faltering economy and an inspirational Democratic candidate. What is worrying the Democrats is that, in spite of all these pluses, is that... [read full story]