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Poll: Obama, McCain Tied in 5 Key States

Barack gains, Mac seen as 'typical Repub' as economy worries hit

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 18, 2008 6:02 AM CDT

(Newser) – The race for the White House is in a dead heat in some vital swing states, according to a new CNN poll. The poll found John McCain and Barack Obama effectively tied in Florida and Ohio while in North Carolina, Indiana, and Wisconsin—where both contenders are pouring resources—neither candidate has a clear advantage. Obama, meanwhile, has wiped out McCain's post-convention lead, according to a new Reuters poll.

The Democratic candidate has gained ground on the question of who could lead the economy—the most pressing concern by far on voters' minds, the poll found. Still another survey conducted for the New York Times found the "Palin effect" fading, and voters largely unswayed by McCain's recent emphasis on change. Voters tend to view him as a "typical Republican," likely to continue President Bush's policies, the poll found.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (2)]

In this Sept. 5, 2008, file photo, John McCain and Sarah Palin, attend a rally in Cedarburg, Wis. McCain has worked himself back into a tight race with Barack Obama in Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

The Democrats and Republicans are neck-and-neck in some key battleground states, according to a new poll. (Getty Images)

Barack Obama speaks at a rally in Las Vegas yesterday. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Barack Obama gestures at a campaign rally in Las Vegas yesterday. (AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Darrin Bush)

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We're back to where we always thought we would be—in a very competitive race.
- Pollster John Zogby

It looks like economic issues are increasingly dividing voters along income lines—at least in Ohio—in the classic pattern that we have seen in previous elections.
- CNN Polling Director Keating Holland

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Poll: Obama, McCain Tied in 5 Key States