TRACKERS

Posted at 3:08 p.m. ET

Both trackers are now out.  The Gallup tracker continues the disturbing trend we reported earlier today.  For whatever reason, Obama is enjoying a new bump in the polls.

Rasmussen, which had Obama up three yesterday, has him up six today.

Gallup, which had Obama up six yesterday, has him up eight today.

Why?

We did some speculating here earlier.  What could possibly account for this sudden bump, which occurred after a few days in which any convention "bounce" for Obama seemed to flatline?  Other polls just released also show important leads for Obama.

Was it the hurricane, reminding voters of what they don't like about Republicans?  Was it the Palin pick, even though that might not be mentioned directly?  Was it another, more positive look at Obama?  Was it the disruption in the GOP convention, which may have stopped McCain's momentum?  Was it simply the difficulty of polling over a holiday weekend? 

Or was it the relentless press assault, obnoxious and thoroughly unprofessional, directed at Governor Palin?

We don't know.  It's not a good day for McCain.  The convention begins in earnest tonight, and he's got to stop this new leakage.   Wednesday will be critical, when Sarah Palin gives her acceptance speech.

September 2, 2008.