With Eight Days to Go, Obama Leads by Eight Points; Poll Finds 15% of Voters Have Already Cast Ballots

October 27, 2008

New York, NY - Today's Diageo/Hotline Daily Tracker Poll shows the Obama-Biden ticket maintaining its lead over McCain-Palin among likely voters, which includes those voters who have already voted early or absentee.

In today's Poll, Obama-Biden is at 50%, McCain-Palin is at 42%, and 5% of likely voters are undecided.

Among Independent likely voters, Obama-Biden's has a 12-point lead over McCain-Palin, (48%-36%).

General Election Ballot: McCain-Palin v Obama-Biden*

Spotlight on Absentee & Early Voters

As part of the Poll's Likely Voter sample, the Diageo/Hotline Daily Tracker Poll has been keeping track of those voters who have already cast early or absentee ballots. Specifically, today's Poll finds that 15% of voters have already voted, and among those voters, Obama leads McCain 48%-46%.

Candidate Qualities

In terms of preparedness to lead, Obama has completely closed in on McCain's lead, (45%-45%).

Among Independent likely voters, the two candidates are also at par with one another in terms of preparedness to lead, (40%-40%).

Preparedness to Lead*

Obama has slightly expanded his lead over McCain in terms of expected performance on the economy, (51%-39%).

Among Independent likely voters, Obama's lead over McCain on this issue is significantly wider at 28 points, (54%-26%).

Who would do Best Job Handling the Economy?*

While Obama is still ahead of McCain in terms of expected performance on America's energy policies (47%-38%), today's Poll shows that the Republican presidential candidate is slightly closing in on his Democratic counterpart's lead.

The gap between the two candidates has closed by 6 points, from a 15-point difference in the October 25 Poll to a nine-point difference in today's Poll.

Again, among Independent likely voters, Obama's lead over McCain on this issue is even wider, (50%-33%).

Who would do Best Job Managing America's Energy Policies?*

* data presented in charts based on rolling 3-day average of 800+ likely voter interviews (out of 900+ registered voter interviews) concluded the previous day. This is based on at least 300 interviews conducted daily.

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