Obama-Biden Lead McCain-Palin, (47% - 41%); Obama-Biden’s Lead Being Driven by ‘Gender Gap’

New York, NY - Today's Diageo/Hotline Daily Tracker Poll shows that the Obama-Biden ticket is maintaining its lead over McCain-Palin. While they are ahead, the Democratic ticket's lead has decreased from a 10-point advantage in the October 17 Poll, to a 6-point lead in today's Poll.

In today's Poll, Obama-Biden is at 47%, McCain-Palin is at 41%, with 9% of likely voters undecided.

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

Obama continues to maintain his solid 11-point lead from the October 20 Poll over McCain on expected performance on the economy, (47% - 36%).

Who would do Best Job Handling the Economy?*

Today's Poll shows that reported enthusiasm for their candidates is on the rise across party lines among likely voters.

The highest increase in enthusiasm levels are those reported by Independent likely voters: from 44% in the October 17 Poll, to 56% in today's Poll. Independents, who in past Polls have reported the lowest levels of enthusiasm, have passed Republicans in terms of voter enthusiasm in today's Poll.

Democratic likely voters' enthusiasm, which is far higher than that of their GOP and Independent counterparts, has increased from 70% in the October 17 Poll, to 74% in today's Poll. Republican likely voters' enthusiasm has also increased 2 points in the same period, (50% in the October 17 Poll, 52% in today's Poll).

Enthusiastically Support Candidate*

Spotlight on Gender

The Poll shows that Obama-Biden's lead over McCain-Palin is being driven by a ‘gender gap'. Among females, Obama-Biden has a significant 16-point advantage over McCain-Palin in the head-to-head, (51% - 35%). Among males, McCain-Palin has a 4-point lead over Obama-Biden, (47% - 43%).

Among females, Obama's favorability rating is 62%, while McCain trails behind at 44%. Among males, the favorability gap between the candidates is not as large as with females, with McCain's favorability at 62%, and Obama at 51%.

When asked which candidate is "more prepared to lead the country," the majority of all likely voters choose McCain, (48% - 42%). Among females, however, Obama has a smaller lead in this category, (46% - 43%). Males overwhelmingly say McCain is ‘more prepared,' (54% - 37%).

In terms of which candidate ‘better understands the needs and priorities of people like yourself,' the majority of all likely voters choose Obama, (51% - 38%). Among females, the gap between the two candidates is even larger at 23 points, (55% - 32%). Among males, Obama leads McCain by only one point on this measure, (45% - 44%).

* data presented in charts based on rolling 3-day average of 780+ 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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