Zogby: Obama ahead in Electoral votes

McCain's gonna meet with the Dalai Lama while Obama's wowed 'em in Berlin.

Despite what Limbaugh et al say about the lanky, hoop-shootin' African-American candidate, the guy gives a pretty good speech.

Can't wait to see how McCain's photo-op with The Dalai turns out Friday in Aspen. Will he be festooned with flowers?

Anyhow, pollster John Zogby says Obama's beating McCain in the Electoral College by a 273-to-146 count, with 119 votes too close to call. (270 are needed to win.)

Says Zogby:

"For the time being, Obama maintains the edge and has the strength of a majority of electoral votes. His triumphant foreign trip allows him to continue to define this race. But too many of these states are close and a sizable number are undecided or choosing a third party candidate. So there is a lot of fluidity."

Here's what the Z-Man says about some individual states (purple=undecided; red=McCain; blue=Obama) ....

Arkansas - changes from purple to red:

"It may look like a toss-up, but the conservative base is probably too solid for Obama to crack."

Arizona - changes from purple to red:

"The state may be changing, but it is still home turf for McCain. Look for conservatives to come back to McCain."

Florida - changes from red to purple:

"Seniors and whites provide McCain a cushion over Obama. However, no one should count votes here too soon."

South Dakota - changes from red to purple:

"A tough call here, so we'll shade it purple for now."