The Obama Bounce

While Barack Obama and Joe Biden campaigned in Pennsylvania and Ohio after the Dem convention (they're with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin in the second photo down, and that's John Glenn with them in the third) Americans were talking to pollsters. Today's Gallup poll--the traditional measure of a convention bounce--shows that Obama increased his lead, and is at the magic 50% mark, with McCain at 43. A CBS poll today shows a slightly larger 8 point lead.

Here's how the USA Today story about the Gallup poll begins:The Democratic National Convention significantly boosted Americans' views of Barack Obama as a strong leader who "shares your values" and can manage the economy and Iraq, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Saturday and Sunday finds. Republican John McCain's advantage in handling terrorism was dramatically reduced and his "unfavorable" rating ticked up to its highest level this year."

The story also notes: On personal characteristics, Obama has eliminated McCain's advantage over him as "a strong and decisive leader." By 46%-44%, those surveyed say that characteristic applies more to Obama than McCain. Before the convention, McCain held an eight-point advantage. Obama has a 13-point advantage as someone who "shares your values," double the edge he held before the convention. He has an eight-point advantage as someone who is "honest and trustworthy; before the convention, they were ranked equally on that quality."