Where the candidates stand: The latest polls

ABC News-Washington Post: McCain 46 percent, Obama 47 percent. White women have moved from backing Obama by 8 points to supporting McCain by 12 points, with majorities viewing Palin favorably. USA Today-Gallup: McCain 50 percent, Obama 46. It shows McCain getting a bounce after the Republican National Convention, overcoming a 7-percentage-point Obama lead. Gallup: McCain 49 percent, Obama 44 percent. His 5-point lead contrasts with a 6-point edge Obama had before the St. Paul convention. CNN-Opinion Research Corp.: McCain 48 percent, Obama 48 percent; Little change from last poll. CBS News: McCain 46, Obama 44 percent.

The polls were conducted Sept. 5-7. The CBS News poll had a sampling error of 4 percentage points; the others had 3 percentage points.

BOTH SIDES FIGHT TO BE SEEN AS CHANGEMAKER

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain clashed Monday over which presidential aspirant was the best to bring about change.

In the battleground state of Missouri, McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin again portrayed themselves as the ticket of mavericks, unafraid to take on their own party on such issues as congressional earmarks and political corruption. Energy independence, including offshore oil drilling, and the improving security situation in Iraq continue to be among their key issues.

"Change is coming, change is coming," McCain said.

The Democrats, meanwhile, stressed the need to fix the economy.

Speaking in Flint, Mich., where the unemployment rate is 12 percent, Obama said McCain was attempting a wholesale makeover after running a campaign based on his Washington experience.

"John McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin, at the [Republican] convention asserted that they were the agents of change," Obama said. "Now they're trying to repackage themselves. We've been talking about the need to change this country for 19 months. I guess it must be working, because suddenly John McCain is saying 'I'm for change, too.' "

CLINTON: DEMOCRATS WILL HELP CREATE JOBS

Campaigning in Kissimmee, Fla., Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton argued that it was Democrats in the past who were eager to create jobs and improve the economy. "Choosing a Republican to clean up this mess is like asking the iceberg to save the Titanic. People need to think hard about who will make the difference in your life."

As for the choice of Palin as the GOP's first female vice presidential candidate, she said: "It is a great accomplishment."

MCCAIN, PALIN LAMBASTE OBAMA OVER EARMARKS

McCain and Palin criticized Obama over the amount of money he has requested for his home state of Illinois.

In Missouri, they accused Obama of requesting nearly $1 billion in earmarks for his state during his time as a senator. McCain, who vows to do away with "pork" projects as president, said Obama's total requests amount to "almost a million dollars for every single day he was in the United States Senate."

Obama hasn't asked for any earmarks this year. Last year, he asked for $311 million worth, about $25 for every Illinois resident. Alaska asked this year for earmarks totaling $198 million, about $295 for every Alaska citizen.

ABC MAY AIR PALIN INTERVIEW ON THURSDAY

Charles Gibson's producer says no issue is off the table for Palin's first TV interview as a vice presidential candidate, which ABC is hoping to air in part on Thursday.

Gibson will travel to Alaska and will probably speak to Palin at least twice.

"I don't think there is any doubt that this is a big interview for him and for us," said executive producer Jon Banner.

Last update: September 8, 2008 - 8:15 PM
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