If McCain were truly the underdog ??

[kentuck]

And say, Obama was ahead by 12-15 points, how would that impact the turnout to vote? Would less people turn out for Obama because they thought he had it wrapped up? Or would more people turn out for McCain because they would think their vote didn't matter anyway, so it is no big gamble - the Republican is not going to win anyway? What impact do these type of polls have on individual voters, if any?

No doubt psychology is a big part of campaigns and polling. Say, for example, that McCain was ahead by 5 points in the polls? Would that cause more Obama supporters to go to the polls? Would that cause less McCain supporters to go to the polls for fear that McCain might win and, in their hearts, they know we can't take 4 more years of the same? I find the psychological factor of polls very fascinating.