Americans still not engaged

Labor Day is over a month away, and that's the traditional time that Americans engage in an election year, and really pay attention to what's going on. Polls before that time are generally held to not mean much, when the vast majority of the public isn't paying attention yet.

That's why all the gaa-gaa media types oohing and awwing over every point or two change in the presidential polls between Obama and McCain are so much hot air at this point. Polls are increasingly suspect, as America becomes a nation of cell phones that can't be reached by pollsters.

This factor, when combined with the pre-Labor Day we're still in, makes the polls meaningless. Obama will get a boost out of the Democratic convention in Denver, and McCain will get one a couple of weeks later after the GOP fete in Minneapolis. After those artificial burbles wear off, about Oct. 1--then we'll have some definitive idea of what's really happening.

Much is being made about how McCain has pulled even with Obama in the polls in the last week, which may or may not be significant. The campaigns are still trying out themes and ideas, seeing what engages and moves the public, so they'll be ready for prime time after Labor Day.

It behooves you to keep your powder dry until then.