So Much for "Tightening"

The new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released tonight:

With two weeks to go until Election Day, Obama now leads his Republican rival by 10 points among registered voters, 52 to 42 percent, up from 49 to 43 percent two weeks ago.

Obama’s current lead is also fueled by his strength among independent voters (topping McCain 49 to 37 percent), suburban voters (53 to 41), Catholics (50 to 44) and white women (49 to 45).

In early September, after the Republican National Convention, McCain was ahead with independents and Catholics, and narrowly trailed Obama among suburban voters.

And what does the survey say about Palin? Well, for one thing, she has become voters' TOP CONCERN regarding the McCain candidacy. There's more:

Fifty-five percent of respondents say she’s not qualified to serve as president if the need arises, up five points from the previous poll.

In addition, for the first time, more voters have a negative opinion of her than a positive one. In the survey, 47 percent view her negatively, versus 38 percent who see her in a positive light.

That’s a striking shift since McCain chose Palin as his running mate in early September, when she held a 47 to 27 percent positive rating.

A complete and utter reversal. I would call it "stunning," but it's not, given that she possesses not one iota's worth of what it takes to serve as President or Vice President. More still:

Forty-eight percent say they have confidence in Obama serving as commander in chief, which is nearly identical to the 50 percent who said the same of McCain.

A month ago, however, just 42 percent said they were confident in Obama’s commander in chief abilities, compared with 53 percent for McCain.

A Democrat running even with a Republican on the commander-in-chief question? Oh, boy. Not good news, Johnny Mac.

There's still time left, of course - time for McCain to come back, time for us to blow it, time for a whole host of things to occur. But right now, at this moment, these numbers - and the numbers from other pollsters - look very, very good.

Cross your fingers. Don't get overconfident. Take action. Volunteer. Vote.

And hope.