Obama leads by double digits in new poll

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama opened up a double-digit lead over Republican nominee John McCain for the first time in a new Battleground Poll. 

The Illinois senator was up 48-38 in a poll of 800 likely voters. It has a margin of error of 3.1 percent.

{mosads}The poll, conducted by George Washington University, Lake Research Partners and The Tarrance Group, showed additional good news for the Illinois senator. His favorability rating rose to a high of 62 percent, while Sen. McCain’s (Ariz.) sank to 53 percent.

In addition, while Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden’s (Del.) favorability rating was sharply on the rise to 57 percent, GOP vice presidential nominee Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was viewed favorably by 48 percent of the voters. The two had been tied a week ago.

The poll also shows that more than half of the respondents said that McCain is running a more negative campaign, while only one in five believe that it is Obama whose campaign is more negative.

The Illinois senator has all but pulled even on the question of which candidate is a stronger leader, trailing McCain only 46-43. Two months ago, the gap between the two was 15 percent in McCain’s favor.

The poll shows that a majority of voters give Obama the nod on who shares their values, fights for people like them, will unite the country and will change Washington. In addition, respondents believe that Obama will better handle healthcare, energy and the economy.

McCain only leads on the issue of keeping America safe, a category in which his lead increased to 57-35.