(CBS) In a sign that John McCain's convention bounce has dissipated, Barack Obama has taken a 48 percent to 43 percent lead over his Republican rival among registered voters in the latest CBS News/New York Times poll.

McCain had a two percentage point lead among registered voters in a CBS News poll released on September 8th, just after the Republican National Convention. Prior to the party conventions, Obama led McCain by 3 points.

In the new poll, the gap among likely voters is the same as it is among registered voters: Obama leads among those seen as likely to go to the polls in November 49 percent to 44 percent.

This race remains up for grabs. One-fourth of the electorate is now uncommitted, meaning they say they could still change their minds about their candidate or remain undecided entirely. Roughly twenty percent of both McCain and Obama supporters say they have not yet settled definitively on their chosen candidate.

Though McCain's supporters have become more enthusiastic about the Republican nominee, he still suffers from an enthusiasm gap. Sixty-one percent of Obama supporters are enthusiastic about their candidate, up eight points from last week's poll; forty-seven percent say the same of McCain, up five points from last week.

Obama's advantage can be traced in part to independents, who favored Obama in late August, swung to McCain just after the Republican convention, and have now returned to Obama. Obama now leads McCain among independents 46 percent to 41 percent.

Obama now also leads McCain among women, a group that favored McCain by five points in polling taken just after the Republican convention, where Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin became the second woman ever to be nominated to a major party ticket.

Obama leads McCain 54 percent to 38 percent among all women. He holds a two point edge among white women, a 21 percentage point swing in Obama's direction from one week ago.

The Candidates For Vice President:

While Palin remains popular among McCain voters, the poll suggests that the McCain campaign may have cause for concern. More than half of registered voters do not think Palin is prepared for the job of Vice President, and even McCain supporters cite “inexperience” as what they like least about her.

Just 17 percent of registered voters say McCain chose Palin because she is well qualified for the job of Vice President. Seventy-five percent say McCain made the choice to help win the election. (Even voters backing the Republican ticket share this view: 53 percent say the Palin choice was to help McCain win in November.)

Contrast that with the perception of Obama's selection of Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as running mate: 57 percent of registered voters say Obama chose Biden because he is well qualified. Thirty-one percent say the choice was to help with the election.

Nonetheless, McCain supporters are far more enthusiastic about Palin than Obama supporters are about Biden. Sixty-nine percent of McCain voters - including 78 percent of white evangelical McCain backers - describe themselves as "enthusiastic" about Palin. Just 27 percent of Obama supporters are "enthusiastic" about Biden, though an additional 58 percent say they are "satisfied" with the Democratic vice presidential nominee.

Palin’s favorable rating stands at 40 percent, down 4 points from last week. Her unfavorable rating, which stands at 30 percent, has risen eight points in the same time period. Her favorable rating among women has fallen 11 points in the past week.

Biden is viewed favorably by 38 percent of registered voters. Seventeen percent view the Delaware senator unfavorably, a decrease of 5 points from last week.

Nearly 3 in 4 voters say Biden is prepared to be vice president; just 42 percent say Palin is prepared for the job, down 5 points from last week. But Palin is seen as the more relatable of the two: 55 percent of registered voters say she is someone they can relate to, while 43 percent say the same of Biden.

Asked what they like most about Biden, registered voters cited experience (15 percent), followed by "honesty" (6 percent), "outspoken" and "foreign policy" (5 points each). Asked the same question about Palin, the top two choices were "outspoken" and "woman" (7 percent each), followed by "fresh face" and "tough/fighter" (5 points each).

Asked what they liked least about the candidates, the top response for Biden, at 8 percent, was "too many gaffes." The top response for Palin, at 15 percent, was inexperience.

Voters who supported Hillary Clinton in the primaries are not fully embracing the new woman in the race. Forty-eight percent of Clinton voters say they have an unfavorable view of Palin, while 20 percent view her positively.

Still, one in four registered voters who were Clinton supporters in the primary say they plan to support the McCain-Palin ticket in November.

Thats not news! Thats what the heck he is supposed to do, lead McCain by at least 20points. It is news when they tie or he falls behind.

Negro_Ntns:

Thats not news! Thats what the heck he is supposed to do, lead McCain by at least 20points. It is news when they tie or he falls behind.

umm actaully McCain is suppose to be ahead of Obama becasue he been on the scene since 2000.

Obiden 08!

The problem I see is that many of Obama's supporters are just too pessimistic.

Good morale is necessary to fight any battle.

Obiden 08!

Go OBIDEN Go OBIDEN Go OBIDEN Go OBIDEN Go OBIDEN Go OBIDEN Go OBIDEN

SeanT21:

umm actaully McCain is suppose to be ahead of Obama becasue he been on the scene since 2000.

How did you come to this conclusion? Actually it should be the other way around. With the past 8 years of Bush in office, Obama should be way ahead of McCain. I mean considering the media fascination, millions of americans having obama "pushed" on them daily, coupled with a economic issues which many blame on the republicans and the president in general, It is expected that democrats have a lead in most all polls but that is not the case.

no, i disagree. with obama's skin color in a racial country, mccain is supposed to be leading by 40 points now.

well considering the bradley effect, the polls may not be fully trustworthy. but all the same, leading mccain is a great achievement and beating hillary is an even bigger achievement

every adult american knows obama is a better candidate. only they wont admit it. but it's okay, my own country's voters are not better. i still hail my man, go barrack go

Of ourse. Obama needs to crush McBushalin.

[size=18pt]Obiden 08![/size]

RichyBlacK:

Of ourse. Obama needs to crush McBushalin.

[size=18pt]Obiden 08![/size]

does not sound so good
They can turn it to[b] f-obiden[/b] 08 lol

Obama rocks

[b]After careful look at the Obama tax plan,I'm beginning not to have the love for my Obama that I earlier did.
MC Bush is becoming attractive to me.
The only deciding issue for me is the taxes.[/b]Anyone who will increase my taxes has lost my vote.
My Oga works too hard to have a lot of our income  end up at the feet of the federal Govt.
That is unfair.
To punish those who have suffered,sweated and denied themselves things just to get ahead.

I hear there's a site that compares both tax plans,can someone post it,if they have it.

Found it.
It's clearer now.
Obama's plan won't punish me and my oga as I thought.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/09/ST2008060900950.html

but MCcain will certainly put more money in my pocket.

_Queenisha:

[b]After careful look at the Obama tax plan,I'm beginning not to have the love for my Obama that I earlier did.
MC Bush is becoming attractive to me.
The only deciding issue for me is the taxes.[/b]Anyone who will increase my taxes has lost my vote.
My Oga works too hard to have a lot of our income  end up at the feet of the federal Govt.
That is unfair.
To punish those who have suffered,sweated and denied themselves things just to get ahead.

Obama will raise taxes for those making $250,000 or more. That's a minority group and they do not need any tax breaks whatsoever!

It has nothing to do with working hard, it has everything to do with balancing the budget. The wealthy must pay more, it's not a new concept. The existing tax code makes it such that the higher you earn the more tax (percentage) you pay.

RichyBlacK:

Obama will raise taxes for those making $250,000 or more. That's a minority group and they do not need any tax breaks whatsoever!

It has nothing to do with working hard, it has everything to do with balancing the budget. The wealthy must pay more, it's not a new concept. The existing tax code makes it such that the higher you earn the more tax (percentage) you pay.

Minority group indeed.
people in those tax brackets usually also have higher expenditures.
They should not be robbed to feed the rest of soceity
They already pay more,they don't need to pay anymore than they're already paying.
well people would just put their money away in tax shelters.

_Queenisha:

Minority group indeed.
people in those tax brackets usually also have higher expenditures.
They should not be robbed to feed the rest of soceity
They already pay more,they don't need to pay anymore than they're already paying.
well people would just put their money away in tax shelters.

WEll, They have more money than the average Man.

SeanT21:

WEll, They have more money than the average Man.

and so what?
they worked hard to get there.
you folks think $250,000 is a lot of money.
not when you have school loans and kids who you hope to send to college.
this is unfair
they're already paying 35% of their income in taxes ,why punish them more?
they typically spend more too and put in more money into the economy through property taxes and indirect taxation.It'll be unfair to punish them.
go MCain!

_Queenisha:

Minority group indeed.
people in those tax brackets usually also have higher expenditures.
They should not be robbed to feed the rest of soceity
They already pay more,they don't need to pay anymore than they're already paying.
well people would just put their money away in tax shelters.

The stroke of the pen will eliminate those fraudulent tax shelters.

The rich MUSt pay more taxes, period!

$250,000 is a lot of money!

Propanganda.

only people who have been brain-washed believe all these.

_Queenisha:

and so what?
they worked hard to get there.
you folks think $250,000 is a lot of money.
not when you have school loans and kids who you hope to send to college.
this is unfair
they're already paying 35% of their income in taxes ,why punish them more?
they typically spend more too and put in more money into the economy through property taxes and indirect taxation.It'll be unfair to punish them.
go MCain!

So u believe people like Donald Trump should get tax the same as the woman who works from 9-5 to survive?

He makes more money, SO MORE NEEDS TO GET TAKEN AWAY!!!

Donald trump does not make $250,000.
He's not middle class.
$250,000 is a middle income salary.
An average physician with a school teacher wife will make that amount easily.
It's not a lot of money after he's paid his $150,000 school loan and hers plus a hefty ,malpractice insurance.
People look at the raw figures and forget that the average people with that salary owe money to get there.

Either way we look at it,MCain has a better tax plan for everyone in a nut shell.
Obama just wants to give a whole lot more to the lower income class than MCain and tax the upper class a whole lot more than MCain.
Either way the wealthy is paying more.
I don't think they should pay more than they're already paying
That's enough to change me over to MCain

_Queenisha:

Donald trump does not make $250,000.
He's not middle class.
$250,000 is a middle income salary.
An average physician with a school teacher wife will make that amount easily.
It's not a lot of money after he's paid his $150,000 school loan and hers plus a hefty ,malpractice insurance.
People look at the raw figures and forget that the average people with that salary owe money to get there.

Sorry for Getting Your reasons all mix up.

I thought U were talking about Millionaires, Billionaires, etc,

Anyway, I understand Your Point but are u saying that those people in middle income should be taxed like the rest?

McCain is still running ads lying that Obama's proposal aims to increase taxes for the middle class. Is that man such an obnoxious liar or what?

McCain = GeorgeBush the 3rd

all of you guys there in america please don't f--k up again o.

mccain is nothing but bush extention. just take 2 minutes to look at this. very important


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa20q2s2BRs&feature=related

this is the republican machinery trying to change name.

the devil is coming as an angel of light. be not decieved.

the republican convention hardly mentioned the name republican party.
the republican convention talks about change
the mccain campaign metamorphorsed from a campaign of experience to one of change

gentle mccain is now manufacturing negative ads(an obama too, unfortunately)

mccains negative adverts are full of lies. if u must go negative at least say some truth. outright lies which continue shamelessly even after it is publicly exposed as a lie. yet people buy it. how can americans be so dumb. or is there something i can't see from europe?

davidylan:

McCain is still running ads lying that Obama's proposal aims to increase taxes for the middle class. Is that man such an obnoxious liar or what?

That's a blatant looking at the comparison.
In his plan.the middle class will definitely get less  money than MCains plan but they will not be paying more than they're already paying.

otele:

McCain = GeorgeBush the 3rd

all of you guys there in america please don't f--k up again o.

mccain is nothing but bush extention. just take 2 minutes to look at this. very important


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa20q2s2BRs&feature=related

this is the republican machinery trying to change name.

the devil is coming as an angel of light. be not decieved.

the republican convention hardly mentioned the name republican party.
the republican convention talks about change
the mccain campaign metamorphorsed from a campaign of experience to one of change

gentle mccain is now manufacturing negative ads(an obama too, unfortunately)

mccains negative adverts are full of lies. if u must go negative at least say some truth. outright lies which continue shamelessly even after it is publicly exposed as a lie. yet people buy it. how can americans be so dumb. or is there something i can't see from europe?

McCain is copying off Obama. At First His Slogan was about Experience, Now its Change.

_Queenisha:

That's a blatant looking at the comparison.
In his plan.the middle class will definitely get less money than MCains plan but they will not be paying more than they're already paying.

Ok, I understand Your point but it will not affect me becasue I am still a teenager!!!

SeanT21:

Ok, I understand Your point but it will not affect me becasue I am still a teenager!!!

OMG
I'm chatting with someone that could be my offspring?
perhaps making minimum wage at Chuck E cheeses?
what do you know?

_Queenisha:

OMG
I'm chatting with someone that could be my offspring?
perhaps making minimum wage at Chuck E cheeses?
what do you know?

Haha. I am 18 years old and into Politics.

The funny thing is, I use to work at Chuck E Cheese a few years back.

SeanT21:

Haha. I am 18 years old and into Politics.

The funny thing is, I use to work at[b] Chuck E Cheese a few years back.[/b]

I'm that good

_Queenisha:

Donald trump does not make $250,000.
He's not middle class.
$250,000 is a middle income salary.
An average physician with a school teacher wife will make that amount easily.
It's not a lot of money after he's paid his $150,000 school loan and hers plus a hefty ,malpractice insurance.
People look at the raw figures and forget that the average people with that salary owe money to get there.

Either way we look at it,MCain has a better tax plan for everyone in a nut shell.
Obama just wants to give a whole lot more to the lower income class than MCain and tax the upper class a whole lot more than MCain.
Either way the wealthy is paying more.
I don't think they should pay more than they're already paying
That's enough to change me over to MCain

We won't miss you! You can go vote for McBush!

I'm tired of all these greedy and selfish Republicans like _Queeniusha whio tacitly imply that "if you're poor then it's your fault because our God is a God of riches".

Republicans, the anti-bailout people, but they are ever willing to bail out rich Wall Street goons.

I have nothing against rich people. I make >>> 250k and will gladly pay more taxes in an Obama administration than pay less in a McBush administration.

Yawn. Let me go to https://donate.barackobama.com/ and give my third $50 donation this month.

[size=18pt]Obiden 08![/size]

RichyBlacK:

We won't miss you! You can go vote for McBush!

I'm tired of all these greedy and selfish Republicans like _Queeniusha whio tacitly imply that "if you're poor then it's your fault because our God is a God of riches".

Republicans, the anti-bailout people, but they are ever willing to bail out rich Wall Street goons.

I have nothing against rich people. I make >>> 250k and will gladly pay more taxes in an Obama administration than pay less in a McBush administration.
Yawn. Let me go to https://donate.barackobama.com/ and give my third $50 donation this month.

[size=18pt]Obiden 08![/size]

Of course if you make a whole lot more than $250,000 by your admission with no wife and children to support, but ocassional Somalian ashewos here and there ,you have more spare change than you can handle.
A lot of men are not in that category.
They have  actual mouths to feed and kids to send to college.
You cannot compare yourself to the average man.
what do you know about manly responsibilities
nonsense!

_Queenisha:

Of course if you make a whole lot more than $250,000 by your admission with no wife and children to support, but ocassional Somalian ashewos here and there ,you have more spare change than you can handle.
A lot of men are not in that category.
They have  actual mouths to feed and kids to send to college.
You cannot compare yourself to the average man.
what do you know about manly responsibilities
nonsense!

Manly responsibilities? You're not a man, how can you know what manly responsibilities are.

Mouths to feed in America? Feeding is typically less than 10% of most people's income. There's nothing hard in feeding kids.

School fees? Let me give you some advice (though I know you married people don't like listening to single dudes), put your kids in good schools in k-12, give them adequate preparation for college, and make them curious enough to love knowledge for the sake of it. They'll easily hit 4.0/4.0 in high school, go to great schools with enough grants and scholarships, and you don't have to dole out 150K per annum on school fees. Proper planning results in less spending. Just a piece of advice to my sister.

“Somali ashewo”? Haba! Why address a fellow woman like you in that way? She's not an ashewo, far from it. How many ashewos have Sloan MIT degrees and earn six figures? She's a decent woman and a devout Muslim.

Furthermore, I typically send no less than 100k per annum to Nigeria, though this year has been different because I'm helping out fellow Africans in Somalia as a visiting professor; less income but more sense of reward.

Stop the tired mentality of "I'm doing well because I work hard, and if you're poor then it must be because you're lazy". Hard work and high income are not always positively correlated. Likewise, laziness and low income are not necessarily correlated.