Joe, I don't know what polls you're looking at, but every one I see (with the exception of Rasmussen, below) shows Obama sitting on a pretty comfortable lead - even in a lot of the historically "red" states. . .
http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/national.html
http://www.gallup.com/poll/election2008.aspx
http://www.presidentelectionpolls.com/
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=ee159c77-e4e4-4b5e-b5aa-5ae114813bc8
http://www.pollingreport.com/wh08.htm
http://electoral-vote.com/
The ONLY reference I've seen to a tie in the polling is on the Rasmussen Reports (link below). Although this is encouraging, even they themselves seem skeptical of it, putting the following disclaimer on their web site:
"It will take a few more days to determine whether this recent tightening of the race reflects real change or is merely statistical noise."
Here's their daily poll tracker:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/general_election_match_up_history
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
I do pay attention to this stuff - all the evidence suggests right now that McCain has a significant amount of work to do if he wants to have any kind of shot. The good thing is there's a lot of time left, but I guess I just don't have as much confidence in the collective brainpower of the average American idiot these days as you seem to.
I hope things turn around for McCain - I really do. If BHO gets in office, I think it'll only accelerate (dramatically) the slide towards the inevitable collapse of this country. The economy will grind to a halt on the back of his tax-and-spend policies and the government will only continue to run up staggering debts to fund "redistribution of wealth" policies. This is one election that we can't afford to lose to a socialist, or I really do think we ARE f*cked. However, the average dope out there just sees his smiling mug on the television and falls in love.
Kennedy versus Nixon. . . Don't underestimate the power of a young charismatic face.