As Barack Obama prepares for the White House and Sarah Palin is being talked about in some quarters as the future of the Republican Party, several polls today suggest that Americans are optimistic about what Obama's first term will bring and far less enthusiastic about a Palin in their future.

A CNN/Opinion Research poll conducted Nov. 6-9 found that forty-nine percent of Americans have a favorable view of Sarah Palin compared to 43 percent who view her unfavorably. Just after the GOP convention, she had been viewed favorably by 57 percent of registered voters compared to about a quarter who viewed her unfavorably. Palin does better among men than with women, with her favorable to unfavorable ratio among men being 51 percent to 41 percent. Her favorability rating with women is 3 points lower.

"With fairly high negatives and lower support among women, who should be a natural constituency for Palin, she's not starting off from a position of strength," said CNN polling director Keating Holland.

However, just as in the campaign, Palin remains a hit with the Republican base with 86 percent viewing her favorably.

As Barack Obama prepares for the White House and Sarah Palin is being talked about in some quarters as the future of the Republican Party, several polls today suggest that Americans are optimistic about what Obama's first term will bring and far less enthusiastic about a Palin in their future.

A CNN/Opinion Research poll conducted Nov. 6-9 found that forty-nine percent of Americans have a favorable view of Sarah Palin compared to 43 percent who view her unfavorably. Just after the GOP convention, she had been viewed favorably by 57 percent of registered voters compared to about a quarter who viewed her unfavorably. Palin does better among men than with women, with her favorable to unfavorable ratio among men being 51 percent to 41 percent. Her favorability rating with women is 3 points lower.

"With fairly high negatives and lower support among women, who should be a natural constituency for Palin, she's not starting off from a position of strength," said CNN polling director Keating Holland.

However, just as in the campaign, Palin remains a hit with the Republican base with 86 percent viewing her favorably.

Here are today's updates in our match-ups between John McCain and Barack Obama:

• Alaska: McCain 57, Obama 41. (Rasmussen)
• Arizona: McCain 46, Obama 44. (Cronkite/Eight)
• Colorado: Obama 53, McCain 45. (CNN/Time); Obama 50, McCain 41. (AP/GfK)
• Florida: Obama 51, McCain 47. (CNN/Time); Obama 47, McCain 45. (Quinnipiac); Obama 45, McCain 43. (AP/GfK)
• Georgia: McCain 52, Obama 47. (CNN/Time)
• Indiana: McCain 47, Obama 45. (Howey/Gauge)
• Michigan: Obama 53, McCain 43. (Rasmussen)
• Minnesota: Obama 55, McCain 43. (Rasmussen)
• Missouri: McCain 50, Obama 48. (CNN/Time)
• New Hampshire: Obama 58, McCain 34. (WMUR/UNH)Obama 55, McCain 37. (AP/GfK)
• Nevada: Obama 52, McCain 40. (AP/GfK)
• North Carolina: Obama 48, McCain 46. (AP/GfK)
• Ohio: Obama 46, McCain 43. (Marist); Obama 51, McCain 42. (Quinnipiac); Obama 48, McCain 41. (AP/GfK)
• Pennsylvania: Obama 52, McCain 39. (Marist); Obama 53, McCain 41. (Quinnipiac); Obama 52, McCain 40. (AP/GfK); Obama 51, McCain 39. (Franklin & Marshall)
• Virginia: Obama 53, McCain 44. (CNN/Time); Obama 49, McCain 42. (AP/GfK)
• Washington: Obama 56, McCain 39. (SurveyUSA)

Also, check out CQ Politics Presidential election maps which give you four different ways to look at the race, including one that lets you build your own electoral scenario.

There were two big releases of polls today focusing on key states. The Big Ten Battle Ground Poll showed Barack Obama with significant leads over John McCain in eight Midwest states. A Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll showed Obama riding a surge of support based on the belief he would better handle the economy. Quinnipiac said, "With 12 days to go, Sen. McCain is narrowing the gap in Florida, but fading in Ohio and barely denting Sen. Obama's double-digit lead in Pennsylvania."

Also interesting to note that a new poll has Obama moving ahead in Montana, which went Republican in each of the last five elections except in 1992 when Ross Perot's independent candidacy siphoned off votes from the first President Bush. CQ Politics is changing its rating of Montana from "Leans Republican" to "No Clear Favorite." We are also moving Indiana from "Leans Republican" to "No Clear Favorite," Ohio from "No Clear Favorite" back to "Leans Democratic," and North Dakota from "Leans Republican" to "No Clear Favorite."

Here are the states we're updating today in our round-up of general election match-ups: between John McCain and Barack Obama:

• Arkansas: McCain 49, Obama 36. (University of Arkansas)
• California: Obama 56, McCain 33. (PPIC)
• Florida: Obama 49, McCain 44. (Quinnipiac); Obama 49, McCain 42. (St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald)
• Illinois: Obama 61, McCain 32. (Big Ten)
• Indiana: Obama 51, McCain 41. (Big Ten)
• Iowa: Obama 53, McCain 39. (Big Ten)
• Kansas: McCain 53, Obama 41. (SurveyUSA)
• Maine: Obama 56, McCain 35. (Critical Insights)
• Montana; Obama 44.4, McCain 40.2. (Montana State University)
• Ohio: Obama 52, McCain 38. (Quinnipiac); Obama 53, McCain 41. (Big Ten)
• Pennsylvania: Obama 53, McCain 40. (Quinnipiac); Obama 52, McCain 41. (Big Ten); Obama 53, McCain 41. (SurveyUSA)
• Texas: McCain 54, Obama 44. (Rasmussen)
• West Virginia: McCain 49.2, Obama 43.5. (Wesleyan College)
• Wisconsin: Obama 53, McCain 40. (Big Ten).

We'll be updating the longer state summaries below as the day goes on.

Also, check out CQ Politics Presidential election maps which give you four different ways to look at the race, including one that lets you build your own electoral scenario.

Here are the states we're updating today in our round-up of general election match-ups between John McCain and Barack Obama:

• Colorado: Obama 51, McCain 46. (Fox News/Rasmussen)
• Florida: McCain 49, Obama 48. (Fox News/Rasmussen); Obama 48, McCain 47. (Public Policy Polling)
• Illinois: Obama 56, McCain 32. (Chicago Tribune).
• Indiana: Obama 48, McCain 46. (Public Policy Polling)
• Kentucky: McCain 54, Obama 41. (SurveyUSA)
• Missouri: Obama 49, McCain 44. (Fox News/Rasmussen)
• New Jersey: Obama 54, McCain 39. (Monmouth/Gannett); Obama 59, McCain 36. (Quinnipiac)
• North Carolina: Obama 51, McCain 48. (Fox News/Rasmussen); Obama 48, McCain 45. (Civitas).
• Ohio: McCain 49, Obama 47. (Fox News/Rasmussen)
• Oklahoma: McCain 59, Obama 35. (SurveyUSA)
• Pennsylvania: Obama 53, McCain 41. (Muhlenberg)
• Wisconsin: Obama 51, McCain 43. (SurveyUSA)
• Wyoming: McCain 58, Obama 37. (SurveyUSA)

Also, check out CQ Politics Presidential election maps which give you four different ways to look at the race, including one that lets you build your own electoral scenario.

Here are today's updated polls in our round-up of Senate races:

• Kentucky: McConnell 48, Lunsford 48. (SurveyUSA)
• New Jersey: Lautenberg 55, Zimmer 33. (Quinnipiac)
• North Carolina: Hagan 44, Dole 41, Cole 4. (Civitas)

To keep up with our race ratings, you can also go to our Senate Races to Watch page.

Barack Obama has statistically significant leads over John McCain in four daily tracking polls today.

Gallup: Obama 50, McCain 42.

Diageo/Hotline: Obama 48, McCain 41.

Rasmussen Reports: Obama 51, McCain 45.

Research 2000: Obama 52, McCain 40.

Today we update Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Virginia and Oklahoma in our round-up of state-by-state general election match-ups between Barack Obama and John McCain. One set of the new polls is Quinnipiac University's swing state surveys of Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania which like the AP-GfK and Pew Research Center surveys we posted earlier show Obama benefiting from the first presidential debate, greater voter trust in him on the economy and falling favorability ratings of Sarah Palin.

Obama also gained significant ground in polls conducted in five battleground states in a CNN/Time Magazine/Opinion Research poll released today. CNN polling director Keating Holland said, "Obama has gained ground among moderates in all five states." He added, That may have something to do with the first presidential debate. Some commentators knocked Obama for agreeing with McCain as often as he did, but moderates tend to like it when candidates appear willing to see the other side's point of view." The states were Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada and Virginia.

Our latest round-up of state match-ups between Barack Obama and John McCain updates the swing states of Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and also North Carolina. Also, check out CQ Politics' election forecasts for detailed stories on races in each state from the tops of the tickets down. Also go to our Presidential Election Maps to see our calls and use our Scenario Builder to make your own.

• Florida: The state remains very competitive. McCain leads Obama 47 percent to 43 percent with 2 percent preferring someone else and 8 percent undecided in a Quinnipiac University poll conducted Aug. 17-24. The margin of error is 3 percent. This result comes even though Floridians say b y 44 percent to 39 percent they'd like to see a Democrat in the White House. McCain's favorable-to-unfavorable ratio is 55 percent to 32 percent compared to 51 percent to 36 percent for Obama. As in most national and state polls, McCain has double-digit leads when it comes to handling terrorism, relations with Russia and a foreign conflict such as one between Israel and Iran. Obama's leads on domestic issues hover within or just above the margin of error. McCain leads by 8 percent among independents who Quinnipiac says could determine the outcome here. an American Research Group poll conducted Aug. 18-20 had McCain statistically tied with Obama at 47 percent to 46 percent with 7 percent. The margin of error is 4 percent. McCain had a 16 point lead among white voters while Obama led 85 percent to 7 percent among blacks, but white voters make up 71 percent of the sample compared to black voters who comprise 13 percent. The two ran just about even among Hispanic voters, who are 16 percent of the sample. A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Aug. 18 has McCain leading 46 percent to 43 percent with 7 percent preferring other and 5 percent undecided. The margin of error was 4.5 percent. In its July poll, Obama had led McCain by 1 point and Rasmussen noted he achieved that number after spending "a reported $5 million on television advertising while McCain spent nothing." Obama's favorable to unfavorable ratio is 49 percent to 48 percent while McCain's is 51 percent to 37 percent. An InsiderAdvantage poll conducted Aug. 11 had McCain ahead 48 percent to 44 percent with 2 percent for Libertarian Bob Barr and 5 percent undecided. The margin of error was 5 points. Republicans have carried the state in four of the last five elections including, of course, the hotly-contested outcome in 2000 where the state was awarded to George Bush by a hair. CQ Politics' Election Forecast has "No Clear Favorite here.

Our latest round-up of state match-ups between Barack Obama and John McCain updates the crucial states of Colorado and Virginia which are both toss-ups and could turn out to be a key to the election. Also, check out CQ Politics' election forecasts for detailed stories on races in each state from the tops of the tickets down. Also go to our Presidential Election Maps to see our calls and use our Scenario Builder to make your own.

• Virginia: The polls here consistently agree that McCain and Obama are in a real horse-race in a state that has gone Republican in the last five elections.Obama is leading McCain 47 percent to 45 percent with 8 percent undecided in a Public Policy Polling survey conducted Aug. 20-22. That's within the 3 point margin of error. While McCain leads 55 percent to 36 percent among white voters (75 percent of the sample), Obama leads 89 percent to 11percent among blacks (20 percent of the sample). A large number of voters counted in each man's camp say they could change their mind by Election Day. A Rasmussen Reports survey conducted Aug. 12 has Obama at 46 percent and McCain at 45 percent with 3 percent choosing "other" and 5 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 percent. Obama's favorable to unfavorable ratio is 51 percent to 47 percent while McCain's is 61 percent to 36 percent. Rasmussen says McCain has the advantage among unaffiliated voters. An InsiderAdvantage poll also conducted Aug. 12 has McCain and Obama even at 43 percent each with 9 percent choosing "other" and 5 percent undecided. The margin of error is 5 percent. InsiderAdvantage says, "The secret to Obama's ability to make Virginia a close race can be found in his ability to attract 40% of the white vote. While Virginia's black vote will likely be less than states such as Georgia or North Carolina, it is substantial enough that, when combined with such a strong showing among whites, it falls into the 'recipe' we see as necessary for Obama to win Southern states that have voted Republican in recent years." A SurveyUSA poll conducted Aug. 8-10 had Obama at 48 percent to 47 percent for McCain with 2 percent undecided. The margin of error was 3.9 percent. Obama had a 23 point lead among voters under 34 who make up 21 percent of the sample. McCain led among white voters (74 percent of the sample) by 58 percent to 37 percent while Obama led among blacks (19 percent of the sample) by 84 percent to 14 percent. Independents prefer McCain by 11 points. A Public Policy Polling survey conducted July 17-20 also had Obama in a statistical dead-heat with McCain, leading 46 percent to 44 percent, the same margin as last month. Ten percent are undecided and the margin of error is 2.7 percent. Unlike some other states, there is no gender gap here among either men or women. However, McCain leads 53 percent to 36 percent among white voters (73 percent of the sample) and Obama by 77 percent to 16 percent among blacks (20 percent of the sample). A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted July 16, has Obama and McCain tied at 46 percent each with 5 percent choosing "other" and 6 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4.5 percent. McCain's favorable-to-unfavorable ratio is better at 64 percent to 36 percent, while Obama's is 52 percent to 47 percent. Virginians rank national security pretty high as an issue with 30 percent choosing that as the issue with which they are more concerned, while 42 percent named the economy. Voters put more importance on lowering gasoline prices than protecting the environment by 48 percent to 40 percent. Check Out the Washington Post story about Virginia's emergence as a key battleground state. Republicans won the last five elections here even in 1992 when independent candidate Ross Perot siphoned off votes from the first George Bush. The CQ Politics' Election Forecast says this state "Leans Republican."