http://www.bloomberg.com/...
The DNC convention was easily the most watched one since records have been kept about such happenings starting in 1960, according to numbers just released by the Nielsen Co. The convention actually had more viewers than the recently concluded Olympic games. Furthermore there was a 57% gain in viewers, who watched Obama's acceptance speech, 38.4 million viewers, compared to John Kerry's in 2004 when he attracted 24.4 million.
This definitely speaks to the exitement that is being generated by the democrats in this campaign, and bodes very well for November.
Thus far there has, strangely, been a dearth of post convention polls, not counting the two on-going tracking polls, Gallup and Rasmussen; both of which show a nice bounce for Obama. Nonetheless these Nielsen ratings may be even more pertinent than any polls that may come out, because it speaks directly about the peoples interest in the democratic ticket shown by their daily desire in wanting to hear and see the democratic team in action.
On average, the four-day Democratic convention drew 30.2 million a day. In comparison the olympic games drew 27.7 million a day in the 2 weeks leading up to the convention.
It will be interesting to see how these numbers compare to the RNC, which is expected to start on Monday. I would venture to guess that their numbers will be significantly less than what the democrats have amassed.
Perhaps Sarah Palin could have a good day for the republicans only because she is so little known, she may manage to be a curiosity to a large number of viewers. However I see little else in that convention, unless you may be interested in a haggard McCain, or a recycled Lieberman. I don't see those two generating a great deal of excitement.
Unfortunately for McCain, his acceptance speech has to go up against the opening night of the NFL season, and a game pitting the Super Bowl champion Giants against the Washington Redskins.
It wasn't good scheduling on the part of the republicans and they can easily lose that ratings battle.
Whatever we have been doing in this campaign, we have been doing right. We need just continue on that path and not let up. The numbers are on our side. The excitement is on our side, and history is on our side. We have 65 days to go, work hard, contibute what you can, spread the democratic message, and we will take back our country very soon now.