Poll Tracker

Seventy-seven percent of voters rated McCain very or somewhat prepared to be president compared to 59 percent for Obama. Those figures didn't change much since the pre-convention poll. On the flip side, 74 percent said Obama was in touch with the interests of the average American compared to 57 percent for McCain.

The Democratic convention appeared to make Obama look more presidential. Seventy-six percent of voters said Obama did a good or excellent job presenting himself as a potential president compared to 66 percent before the convention.

Asked who would handle top issues on the minds of voters, the poll found:

• Economy: Obama over McCain 47 percent to 37 percent, a pickup of two points compared to the pre-convention numbers
• Iraq: McCain over Obama 48 percent to 41 percent, a gain of 2 points by Obama.
• Energy: Obama over McCain 46 percent to 38 percent, a gain of 4 points for McCain.
• Health Care: Obama over McCain 51 percent to 29 percent, a gain of 11 points for Obama.

The Gallup daily tracking poll conducted Aug. 30-Sept. 1 has Obama ahead 50 percent to 42 percent with 3 percent picking neither and 5 percent expressing no opinion. The margin of error is 2 points. This is the highest figure that Obama has notched.

American Research Group has Obama ahead 49 percent to 43 percent with 8 percent undecided in a poll conducted Aug. 30-Sept. 1. The margin of error is 3 points.

A Zogby internet poll conducted Aug. 29-30 had McCain statistically tied with Obama at 47 percent to 45 percent, a figure that changes to 44 percent to 43 percent when it includes Libertarian Bob Barr at 5 percentand Ralph Nader at 2 percent. The margin of error is 2.2 percent.

Zogby says that among those who say they shop regularly at Wal-Mart - who he calls "value" and "values" voters - McCain leads Obama 62 percent to 24 percent.