The latest USA Today Poll has very good news. Obama 50%, McCain 43%
Th latest USA Today poll was conducted Sat. and Sun.
The Democratic National Convention significantly boosted Americans' views of Barack Obama as a strong leader who "shares your values" and can manage the economy and Iraq, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Saturday and Sunday finds.
Republican John McCain's advantage in handling terrorism was dramatically reduced and his "unfavorable" rating ticked up to its highest level this year.
Judging from the data, the speech helped Obama make significant progress in getting voters comfortable with his abilities as a "tough enough" leader, relating to voters ahd clarifying what he wants to do as President.
On personal characteristics, Obama has eliminated McCain's advantage over him as "a strong and decisive leader." By 46%-44%, those surveyed say that characteristic applies more to Obama than McCain. Before the convention, McCain held an eight-point advantage. Obama has a 13-point advantage as someone who "shares your values," double the edge he held before the convention. He has an eight-point advantage as someone who is "honest and trustworthy; before the convention, they were ranked equally on that quality.
USA Today Poll
UPDATE: This will take the RCP (Real Clear Politics) average to +5. Obama 49 vs. McCain 44