Inside the Numbers:
A Look at the Presidential Polls
By Karen HessSeptember 15, 2008
John McCain has picked up significant support in crucial battleground states over the past three weeks, and the current Electoral College standings now show an extremely tight race for the presidency. According to the Zogby International poll, conducted September 9 -12, McCain holds a lead in Colorado, Florida, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, improving his position among most key swing states considerably since late August, when Zogby International last polled the battleground states. Barack Obama currently leads McCain in Michigan and New Mexico.
A Look at the Battleground States from the Zogby International poll:
Obama % (9/13)
McCain % (9/13)
Obama % (8/22)
McCain % (8/22)
Colorado
45.0
47.4
44.0
41.0
Florida
41.7
51.3
40.3
45.2
Michigan
49.2
42.5
46.8
38.1
Missouri
42.0
48.2
New Hampshire
42.8
46.9
38.0
42.4
New Mexico
45.3
43.5
47.3
39.6
Nevada
42.3
49.5
40.1
42.2
Ohio
43.8
49.1
41.4
40.1
Pennsylvania
44.1
47.4
47.4
39.1
Virginia
43.4
48.7
43.4
43.3
Barack Obama currently leads John McCain 234-226 in the Electoral College vote, however McCain has significantly closed the gap, moving a projected 54 Electoral College votes from toss-up to McCain since August 22. 78 Electoral College votes remain a toss-up. Overall, the general election polls show a near dead-heat. The Rasmusssen Research Tracking poll, conducted Sept. 12-14 shows McCain leading Obama 49% - 47% among likely voters. The Gallup Tracking poll, conducted Sept. 11 – 13 shows McCain leading Obama 47% – 45%.