McCain vs. Obama: A double-digit lead

The Wall Street Journal on the new NBC/WSJ poll: “Sen. Barack Obama has opened up a double-digit lead in the presidential race, with a growing number of voters saying they're now comfortable with the Democratic nominee's values, background and ability to serve as commander in chief.”  Here’s our write-up of the poll: “Obama’s current lead is also fueled by his strength among independent voters (topping McCain 49 to 37 percent), suburban voters (53 to 41), Catholics (50 to 44) and white women (49 to 45). In early September, after the Republican National Convention, McCain was ahead with independents and Catholics, and narrowly trailed Obama among suburban voters… [GOP pollster Neil] Newhouse adds, “Obama’s beginning to meet a threshold of acceptance among voters.” That doesn’t appear to be the case with McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin. Fifty-five percent of respondents say she’s not qualified to serve as president if the need arises, up five points from the previous poll. In ... (link)