(NOTE FROM JOHN: This may sound fun and silly, but it’s actually quite serious stuff. The conventional wisdom is, and I agree with it, that Americans vote for who they like in their gut, who they’d like to watch a game with, have a beer, share dinner. And while the numbers for Obama and McCain are close, though Obama is ahead, Obama intrigues people on the right whereas McCain horrifies people on the left. That’s interesting, in terms of how it might play with independents. Cuz let’s face it, would you rather hang out having a beer with someone around your age, or with your grandpa?)

And if Obama can help my Buckeyes learn how to quit choking in big games (besides against Michigan) all the better. What is especially interesting about this new poll is that even normal Republican voters understand that McCain can’t control his temper. Democrats have struggled with the “likeability” factor in the last few campaigns but this year Obama has won over Americans.