Gallup, 8/19: Obama 45%, McCain 44%

[highplainsdem]

http://www.gallup.com/poll/109675/Gallup-Daily-Obama-45-McCain-44.aspx

PRINCETON, NJ -- Barack Obama has 45% of the support of registered voters and John McCain 44% in Gallup Poll Daily tracking for Aug. 16-18, as vice presidential announcements and the two conventions loom in the near future.

The current status of the presidential race in many ways represents the "calm before the storm", as the two candidates gear up for one of the most intensive two weeks of campaigning in recent memory. The Democrats will begin with Obama's pending announcement of his vice presidential candidate, followed by the Democratic convention beginning next Monday in Denver. Then, in short order, the Republican John McCain will announce his vice presidential candidate and the GOP convention will get underway in St. Paul, Minn., on Sept. 1.

At the moment, the race has tightened slightly, with Obama holding on to slim one percentage point margin over McCain. Based on past history, Obama should expect a bounce from his vice presidential announcement this week and the convention next week. McCain, of course, should also expect a counter bounce thereafter, settings expectations for what may turn out to be some significant ups and downs in candidate support in the weeks to come. (To view the complete trend since March 7, 2008, click here.) -- Frank Newport

[FrenchieCat]

1. Oooh!

:boring:

[darius15]

2. national polls are worthless

state by state polling is more accurate, and it shows Obama leading slightly in terms of EV's

[Qutzupalotl]

3. Post-Saddleback, pre-VFW.

Okay, partly during Saddleback, but still.