(CNN) – Two and seven: With two days left until election day, a new national poll suggests that Barack Obama holds a seven-point lead over John McCain in the race for the White House.
In the CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey, released Sunday morning, 53 percent of likely voters say they are backing Obama, a Democratic senator from Illinois, for president, while 46 percent support McCain, a Republican senator from Arizona.
Over the last month, Obama's lead has remained quite steady, ranging from five to nine points in the CNN Poll of Polls, which is an average of the national surveys.
But CNN Polling Director Keating Holland cautions against assuming the election is over.
"Keep in mind that this is not a prediction of the final outcome," Holland said. "That's not an easy task with two full days of campaigning to go in a country in which roughly one in ten voters tend to make up their minds in the last few days."
There are three major third-party candidates that are on the ballot in some states across the nation.
They are Independent Ralph Nader, Libertarian candidate Bob Barr, and Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney.
When they are factored into the poll, Obama's lead increases by one percentage point, to eight points - 51 percent to 43 percent, with Nader, Barr and McKinney combining for four points.
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted Thursday through Saturday, with 1,017 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The surveys' sampling error is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
Obama also holds a commanding lead in CNN's Electoral Map.
CNN estimates that if the election were held today, Obama would win states worth 291 electoral votes - more than enough to capture the White House.
McCain would take states worth 157 electoral votes, while states worth a combined total of 90 electoral votes would still be up for grabs. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win.
CNN's new poll suggests that a majority of Americans have a favorable view of both presidential candidates, with 61 percent giving a thumbs up for Obama and 56 percent for McCain.
But the same is not true of their running mates, Democratic Sen. Joe Biden and Republican Gov. Sarah Palin.
"Six in ten have a favorable view of Joe Biden, but the public is split right down the middle on Sarah Palin. And Palin's unfavorables have been growing - eight points higher than early October and more than twice as high as they were when she was first introduced to the public in late August,"
Holland said.
Sixty-four percent of those polled say life will be better for most Americans four years from now if Obama is elected, with 53 percent saying life would be better if McCain wins the White House.
"Americans... think an Obama presidency would be better for themselves and their families - six in ten say they are likely to be personally better off in 2012 if Obama is elected; just over half feel that way about a McCain victory," Holland said, adding: "An Obama presidency would face some great
expectations. Most Americans think it's likely that Obama will improve the economy, end the war in Iraq, increase respect for the U.S. in other countries, and reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil if elected."
That difference in public perception on Iraq is striking. Sixty-seven percent say it's likely the U.S will not be at war in Iraq in four years if Obama is elected, with just 47 percent saying the war will be over if McCain wins.
"This is the issue on which people see the clearest difference between the two presidential candidates," says CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider.
McCain's insistence that Obama will raise taxes appears not to be convincing voters: 47 percent of Americans in our poll say their taxes would be lower four years from now under Obama, with just 36 percent saying that McCain would lower their taxes if he is elected.
McCain has one advantage in the poll : 62 percent say it's likely that the country will be safe from terrorism in 2012 with McCain in the White House; the public is evenly divided over whether the U.S. would be safe from terrorism under an Obama administration.
So how does this election compare to the last presidential election?
Four years ago, CNN's last poll before the election suggested George W. Bush was two points ahead of Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee. President Bush ended up winning the popular vote by three points.
From CNN Politics
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Did the old fool think a shot on SNL would changer voters' minds? He's still a Bush stooge, and his selection of Boob Palin was a disaster.
OBAMA '08
If McCain wins, America is a racist country and there is no hope for the US. The economy is in a horrible hole. Don't fall for the republican hype people!!! That's what they do. They lie lie lie lie. Don't fall for it again. We voted for Bush twice already and look at where it got us. Don't fall for the republicans again people. PLEASE. Your kids will thank you.
Could you consider for at least one moment placing the undecided voters in your articles?
Hey folks,
Let's leave any doubts about Obama because of the color of his skin behind. Let's support him if only because he represents change from policies and ideas that have been proven to not work for most Americans. Vote for Obama/Biden!!
O-BAM-A! O-BAM-A! O-BAM-A!
Dont believe it This is a C.N.N .Poll They have been trying to pick your next president who doesn,t know squat
I'm amazed that Obama is going to win. I think America has lost its mind. Do we hate George Bush so much that we're willing to drive off a cliff? God help us.
GO OBAMA / BIDEN!
No surprise here, as long as Obama stays focused on issues that matter, health care, jobs, housing crisis...he will win.
OBAMA LEADING IN THE POLL MEANS NOTHING ..
HE IS THE BUZZ AND EVERYBODY WOULD CLAIM HIM FOR THE BUZZ.....
HE IS SO UNAWARE OF ALL EVENT IN HIS LIFE SUCH AS HIS DARLING ANTIE, AND DEAR REV.W RIGHT AND MORE RADICAL DANGEROUS FRIENDS' ACTIONS THAT IT REALLY IS RISKY TO HAVE SUCH AN UNAWARE PRESIDENT.
WHAT ELSE HE DOESN'T KNOW, OR WILL CHOSE NOT TO KNOW???
IS HE AWARE THAT FIDEL CASTRO IS A DICTATOR? OR PERHAPS JUST A LEADER IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF OUR COUNTRY?
While it's not over til it's over, I look forward to saying President Obama.
FOX News take note:
CNN Poll: Obama up by 7 points!
Zogby Poll: Obama up by 6 points and not 1 point.
And please see wider margins in CBS and Washington post.
To claim that the polls are tight or tightening is false! Obama is way ahead in both the natioanl and electoral map polls.
OBAMA-BIDEN 2008 /2012
Voters. We must be diligent in continuing to support
Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
With so much dirty politicking going on by the republicans
and their now trying to suppress votes, we have to make
them realize we have had ENOUGH!!
We most certainly do not want or need people of their
caliber leading our country.
Obama/Biden are our survival.
Obama Biden 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All we need to do is vote! Every single person needs to vote.
People this is not over... keep voting and vote early if you can! Say NO to BUSH 3rd TERM. We're almost there guys! Vote for real CHANGE, JUDGMENT AND EXPERIENCE! VOTE OBAMA / BIDEN '08..!
Go Vote For A New Direction America!
Registered Republican "voted" Obama/Biden 08
Oooooooooooooooooooooobamaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!
VOTE!!
Veterans for Obama!!!!
One Vote.
One Team.
One Nation.
Obama/Biden '08
I am so excited and nervous at the same time.
Go Obama Go
People need to listen to Palin prank call and you be the judge.
Socialist country, yes
Is success driven by division or unity?
The greatest chance for success is when a country is unified.
Please vote for the candidate that will be best for (1) unifying the US as well as for (2) unifying the US with the rest of the world.
Please vote for Obama.
Let's hope it holds
Thank GOD. Its the last poll. GO VOTE!!!
Hey
No wonder some states become into play as well as Boston, MA since Obama is bringing in Kenyans by the boat load. Here we have Zeituni Onyango in Boston and I image she is grabbing a ballot. Guess who Zeituni will vote for?
I wonder how many more from Kenya are being imported into our great country, stealing jobs from hard working Americans? Are they going to the voting booth. Is this the change we want?
LET'S DO IT, AMERICA!!!!!
Cast your vote for the change that America needs so much!
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT,
WITH A MANDATE FROM AMERICA!
Electoral College....335!
In some european newspaper, today there's the news that the McCain campaign has paid $ 10,000 to Oxford professor Peter Millican to try to show that Obama's biography had been written by William Ayers. I think that's despicable, more so since there's no proof of it. Why CNN does not discuss any of this? It would shed the true light of McCain's campaign, based on lies and the usual, more of the same, Bush like-Republican tricks.
We cannot become complacent. Make sure to get to the polls and vote!
Obama/Biden '08
A little quid pro quo is now in order...
Time for "real" Americans (Dems, Reps & Indies alike) to give Bush, Chaney, Rove, and the rest of those war criminal, fear, smear, mock and lie fascist-neocon evangelical merchants of toxic slime their due...
SCREW 'EM ALL and vote Obama/Biden...
PS: We need war crime trials to start on this rotting lot of anti-American scum – including the Justice Dept. – as soon as Obama is sworn in...
It's not over till its Over and don't get to cocky here!!! The ReThug Machine will fight hard till the end ! Let's all get out and vote to make this a landslide.
No Way , No How, No McBush
Wohooo! Let's take it home baby!!
just to hear her voice[sarah] makes me crinch, let alone the nonsense she is squealing,, awfull ...and the things she stands for ... wow,, I CANT BELIEVE SANE PEOPLE ARE VOTING FOR HER.... or even consider doing so............ vote OBAMA ,, PLEASE
Everyone, PLEASW vot for Obama. Don't let the likes of John McCain get a chance to destroy this country. He is a bitter, grouchy,hot tempered old man who will say anything to get elected.
Did anyone see Palin's conversation with the fake Sarkozi?
It is funny plese go to youtube and see.
In 48 hrs you can change your life and the lives of your children and/or your parents. Hope triumphs over Hate. VOTE Obama.
Even with the relentless tv ads by RNC, eh? Looks like people are not in mood for personal attacks. With every ad blitz, RNC becomes less relevant than ever.
yawn....in two days hopfully we will know who to call Mr. President?
McCain or Obama your choice....
Hopefully, Obama will prevail. The republicans are now saying that the press has been too negative in coverage of McCain/Palin. I say you reap what you sew. Their whole campaign has been negative with little substance. It took them forever to come up with an economic policy or speak in any positive manner. Now McCain says fight fight fight fight. That's it? My words to you, Sen McCain, if you didn't have to spend so much time defending your poor VP choice, you may have been able to concentrate on policy. You lost me – a former moderate republican- when you chose Palin. Obama 08
Senator Obama, I thank you for running a campaign your supporters could be proud. I was proud to support your campaign and I both happy and proud to vote for you as our next President.
Go Obama/Biden. One man, one vote; so everyone get out there and vote!
that's what I'm talking about, please just get out and vote on Tuesday and don't just vote, vote for Ma men Obama/Biden
Thats rite- Big Os lead gets bigger and bigger! In a few days we will take this nation back from those right wing nuts and launch in to a new direction! No more poor! No more rich! PEople of color will rise! Al Sharpton's dreams r now becoming reality!
yay! no more polls?!
McCain now has the hearty endorsement of the most reviled vice President in U.S. history, Dick Cheney. If that doesn't say what's at stake in this election I don't know what would.
All the socialist, tax and spend, pal with terrorist nonsense that McCain has been throwing lately can't deny and even reinforces the fact that he is nothing more than the Bush / Cheney love child.
WONDERFUL,lets get out and vote for Obama. We can't fight for Mcain whose Economics/Tax policy is a photocopy of the current one! He is fighting for Wealthy 5% unlike Obama 95%.
Folks,get out and vote for Obama! Lets bring the change that we urgently need.
Who is John McCain? Oh, isn't he that old guy running with Sarah Palin?
TIGHTENING!!
What a joke. If McCain won on Tuesday, it wouldn't just be an upset–it'd easily be the biggest, most insane upset of the last 60 years, possibly edging out Truman vs. Dewey. And the last formal poll in THAT election was conducted a full month before Election Day.
Come Tuesday, let's all BARACK THE VOTE! Just say NO to the RNC's sleazy, hate-filled attempts to "shock and awe"!
No Way, No How, No McCain, No Palin, No Bachmann, No Dole!
Obama/Biden for America!
How can 46% of people support McCain? It's insane to think that there are people out there who don't care about the fate of this country and are not mad about the last eight years. I would think that even the most right winged, religious, conservative nut would understand when they're being screwed. This "leadership" that we have so dealt with for so long must end. The secrecy, the lies, the undeniable fact that all of the money was and is continualy being spent without mine or any other voters consent. People need to grow up and stop thinking about themselves and their religion and do what is best for everyone. Vote Obama.
Seriously, who REALLY believe there are 9% undecided voters. They are simply not telling or will be voting. 2-3% undecided is realistic at this time, not 9%.
Folks, even though Obama's lead seems to be holding steady, the Republicans are going to keep up the nasty tactics. In fact, they're going to increase.
I saw a post earlier about "too many legitimate concerns" about Obama. There are NO legitimate concerns, just smears.
As contributors, we may need to pony up to the campaign one more time. I don't even have to mention how low the McCain sleazeballs can go.
COME ON AMERICA, LETS GIVE OBAMA THE LANDSLIDE HE DESERVES AFTER ALL OF MCCAIN AND PALINS DIRTY, SLANDROUS, AND COMPLETELY UNAMERICAN CAMPAIGN . VOTE OBAMA-BIDEN
I'll take the intellect and judgment and expert advisors of this man any day.
I don't like the erratic, temperamental, divisive, hate-filled messages the McCain campaign has put out. It turned me against John.
Hello there, big political establishment which likes to publicly call me a cowardly, atheistic, communistic, probably homosexual terrorist because I don't rabidly support the modern conservative agenda of invading countries and giving away the taxpayers money to insanely rich people.
...and good-bye!
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Dear Gov. Palin,
I realize this is a little like 'casting pearls before swine [or some other lipsticked porcine creature]' but perhaps you can gain a little insight from this quote:
We do not see things as THEY are,
We see things as WE are.
Hate, racism, fear…
What do you see now?
And just for your viewing pleasure, might I suggest you watch an old Andy Griffith movie [probably as unamerican as he is] called 'A Face In The Crowd'.
Look familiar? Shall we refer to you as Sarah 'Lonesome Rhodes' Palin?
McBush's thoughtful V.P. pick really showed her true colors during the prank call she took! What a complete and total MORON! McSame can blame his defeat in a large part to that power abusing, hate spewing, ignorant piece of eye candy. He has no one to blame but himself! I cannot wait to send her back to her igloo!
Right wing haters, it's time to give it up.
Obama has run a much smarter campaign, he has used his intellect and those of the people he has around him to show America what he is capable of.
I know that some of you (those names I keep seeing here over and over) will bash and bash and bash, even when you have nothing to bash. Would you be willing to let it rest even for a couple of days and then judge?
It's so hard to believe McCain is even in the race...With his past participation in the destruction of our economy...and simple math:
Me first (Palin) + Wealthy first (McCain) = Country Last
It feels like CNN has FINALLY started providing unvarnished, unbiased, non-partisan news coverage AND THEN....
...why aren't you covering the hilarious story of Palin falling for the most over-the-top fake impression of Nicholas Nicolas Sarkozy by Canadian comedians? She didn't catch on even when he referenced Hustler's "Nailin' Palin" as her biography. She is as obivious as a sack of cement, obviously. This is front page stuff for Yahoo, howcum you guys don't report the news? Too controversial for you?
WOOHOOOO!!!!!! GOBAMA!
In an article about polls following a commentary that is closed, an individual made the point that the military is overwhelmingly for McCain in polls. I have to remind people that whether they like it or not the military is under the control of the Bush administration.
Their phone calls are monitored. Everything they do is monitored... some by necessity if they are in a war zone.... but some by design with the patriot act! These people may vote completely differently, if it is safe for them to do so. Remember in 2004, bags and bags of their absentee voting cards were lost.... LOST?
Again,at the risk of being redundant, you might call me McCynic?
We need to get out in numbers too large to dispute for OBAMA, People!
And this Republican is Praying for an Obama victory. It is crystal clear that Obama has common sense answers to our failing economic crises and just as clear that McCain does not. Even that other Joe will in truth be better off when Obama wins this election. Buy Stock folks. As soon as Obama wins, the DOW will shoot up to 11000. Take it to the bank.
It feels so close in Arizona and we feel so BLUE "state-ish"....the kids at the u of a are in long lines early voting. Tucson, Pima county, tips the scale enough to elect our beloved Janet Napolitano and we may just do it for Barack Obama. Pheonix, Maricopa county, is neck in neck and it comes down to everybody showing up and voting. WE WANT TO TURN BLUE!!!!
Just 2 days to victory.
Teamsters for Obama