GALLUP -- TIED AT 44%

Say good-bye to inevitability:

[I]t is a substantial turnaround from earlier this week when Obama held a statistically significant lead coming off his high-profile trip to Europe, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. . . .
This suggests that the recent surge in voter support for Obama has truly subsided.
The contrast between Obama's recent advantage over McCain (ranging from six to nine points) and today's result is particularly notable because this is McCain's strongest showing in over a month. (Emphasis added.)

It's also the first time since May 21-25 that Obama has been below 45% in Gallup's tracking poll. Hope (1961-2008) R.I.P.

UPDATE: Hope can't survive ridicule:



(Via Hot Air.) Watch out for that shark, Fonz!

UPDATE II: Just noticed this DNC video at Hot Air:



Allahpundit: "Let Obama’s numbers drop another three or four points and we’ll see how they feel about negative ads then." Of course, an ad accusing your opponent of unfair advertising is ... a negative ad.