Obama Up by 10 points, As McCain Favorability Rating Falls

According to the Washington Post, Obama is leading overall 53percent to 43 percent among likely voters, and for the first time in the general election campaign, voters gave the Democrat a clear edge on tax policy and providing strong leadership.[if supportFields]>tc "According to the Washington Post, Obama is leading overall 53percent to 43 percent among likely voters, and for the first time in the general election campaign, voters gave the Democrat a clear edge on tax polic y and providing strong leadership."

McCain has made little headway in his attempts to convince voters that Obama is too “risky” or too “liberal”, rather, recent strategic shifts may have hurt the Republican nominee, who now has higher negative ratings than his rival and is seen as mostly his opponent rather than addressing the issues that voters care about. Even McCain’s supporters are now less enthusiastic about his candidacy, returning to levels not seen since before the Republican National Convention.[if supportFields]>tc "McCain has made little headway in his attempts to convince voters that Obama is too”risky” or too”liberal”, Rather, recent strategic shifts may have hurt the Republican nominee, who now has higher negative ratings than his rival and is seen as mostly his opponent rather than addressing the issues that voters care about. Even McCain’s supporters are now less enthussiastic about his candidacy, returning to levels not seen since before the Republican National Convention."

Conversely, Obama’s pitch to the middle class on taxes is beginning to sink in, as many have said they think their taxes would go up under a McCain administration as under Obama presidency, and more see their burdens easing with the Democrat in the White House.[if supportFields]>tc "Conversely, Obama’s pitch to the middle class on taxes is beginning to sink in, as many have said they think their taxes would go up under a McCain admnistration as under Obama presidency, and more see their burdens easing with the Democrat in the White House."

The poll was conducted after last week Tuesday debate, which most voters say did not sway their opinions much. Still voter’s impressions of Obama are up; views of McCain have slipped.[if supportFields]>tc "The poll was conducted after last week Tuesday debate, which most voters say did not sway their opinions much. Still voters’s impressions of Obama are up; views of McCain have slipped."

Now two-thirds of voters, 64 percent, now view Obama favorably, up six percentage points from early September. About a third of voters have a better opinion of the senator from Illinois because of his performance at the debates, while 8 percent have had a lower opinion of him. By contrast, more than a quarter said they think worse of McCain as a result of the debates, more than double the proportion saying their opinion had improved. McCain’s overall rating has also dipped seven points, to 52percent,over the past month.[if supportFields]>tc "Now two-thirds of voters, 64 percent, now view Obama favorably,up six percentage points from early September. About a third of voters have a better opinion of the senator from Illinois because of his performance at the debates, while 8 percent have had a lower opinion of him. By contrast, more than a quarter said they think worse of McCain as a result of the debates, more than double the proportion saying their opinion had improved. McCain’s overall rating has also dipped seven points, to 52percent,over the past month."

With the final debate set for Wednesday October 15 at HofstraUniversity in Hempstead N.Y, McCain faces a narrow window in which to reverse course.[if supportFields]>tc "With the final debate set for Wednesday October 15  at Hofstra University in Hempstead N.Y, McCain faces a narrow window in which to reverse course."

Among the reasons Mccain’s path to victory seems steeper is that the percentage is “movable” as voters continue to shrink.Thirteen percent of all voters are now either undecided or may change their minds before Election Day.[if supportFields]>tc "Among the reasons Mccain’s path to victory seems steeper is that the percentage is “movable” as voters continue to shrink.  Thirteen percent of all voters are now either undecided or may change their minds before election day."