Amid Economic Turmoil, Polls Are All Over Map

With the economy taking center stage in the presidential campaign, Barack Obama has surged past John McCain in the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, but a National Public Radio survey of 14 swing states shows a statistical tie between the two candidates, with McCain at 46 percent to Obama at 44 percent. The Post’s national poll shows Obama leading by 9 points, 52-to-43 percent. Just two weeks ago, in the wake of the Republican National Convention, the same poll showed McCain leading Obama by 2 points. The latest Washington Post survey appears to link voters’ concerns about the ongoing financial crisis with Obama’s standing, as more voters trust the Democratic candidate with the economy than McCain. Though Obama’s edge on the issue was just 5 points two weeks ago, the latest survey had Obama leading 53-to-39 percent when it comes to which candidate is best able to handle the economy. According to the survey, only 9 percent rated the economy as good or excellent. ... (link)