Moment of truth looms for U.S. presidential race

OBAMA HAS CLEAR LEAD

Since June, Obama led McCain in polls for most of the time, but it is until recently he has become a clear front runner. The last two weeks saw the balance tilted further toward Obama, a Democratic senator from Illinois, in all the aspects of the race.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., answers a question during a presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

In national poll ratings, he now holds a comfortable 8-percentage lead over McCain, a Republican senator from Arizona. That is beyond the statistic error of polling and means a undisputable advantage.

Another good news, perhaps more important for him, is that he is now leading McCain in all battleground states.

Moreover, fresh poll results out Wednesday showed Obama made gains in traditional Republican states.

A new CNN/Time Magazine/Opinion Research Corporation survey in Virginia indicates that Obama holds a 10 point lead over his Republican opponent McCain, 53 percent to 43 percent among likely voters.

President George W. Bush, a Republican, won Virginia by 9 points over Senator John Kerry in the 2004 presidential race and the state hasn't voted for a Democrat in a presidential election since 1964.

"Obama is winning men and women in Virginia, and is doing well across the state east of the Blue Ridge Mountains," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.

It's a similar story in Colorado, a state that hasn't voted for a Democrat in the race for the White House in 16 years. The new poll indicates Obama opened a 4 point edge over McCain, 51 percent to 47 percent.

Either candidate needs at least electoral college votes to get elected and the polls show Obama will certainly close the deal if the election was held Wednesday. Realclear Politics webstie estimated that Obama and McCain now hold 286 and 158 vote, respectively.

Analysts pointed out that aside from the impact of financial storm that rocked the Wall Street, McCain's weak performance is partly his own making.

Political commentator Clive Crook pointed out that although McCain entered the race as an experienced and well-known candidate, and Obama as a little-known novice, now people may find the opposite is true.

Obama, although 25 years younger, looks unhurried and steady, focused his message on economy and tried his best to link McCain and the unpopular president Goerge W. Bush.

Meanwhile, McCain doesn't seem to have a coherent message. He attempted to leave his own mark on the financial rescue plan, but only played into the hands of the Democrats who controlled the congress.

He then tried to attack Obama's character but had to switch back when it backfired. Not surprisingly, he ends up with a 20-percent gap behind Obama in favorable ratings.