McCain Leading Obama in Polls by 4 Pct. Points

U.S. Republican Party presidential candidate John McCain has opened up a lead of four percentage points over his Democratic Party rival Barack Obama, McCain`s first since the campaign began in January.

A USA Today/Gallup Poll yesterday showed that McCain, whose popularity got a boost after his party`s national convention, led Obama 50 percent to 46 percent.

For McCain, this is the first time he has led the race and also has the biggest margin. The survey was conducted among 1,022 registered voters nationwide between Friday and Sunday, with a margin of error of three percent.

The results of a Gallup survey released Sunday also said McCain was leading Obama 48 percent to 45 percent. A poll carried out Saturday had Obama leading with 47 percent to McCain`s 45 percent.

In a poll conducted right after the Democratic National Convention, Obama led 50 percent to 42 percent over McCain.

McCain`s surging support is evident in the rising number of people attending his campaign rallies. Though he barely managed to gather hundreds of supporters before his party`s convention, about 7,000 gathered at a rally in Colorado Saturday and another 6,000 in New Mexico the next day.

The Los Angeles Times said McCain once struggled to match Obama`s ability to draw large crowds, but is now flocked by throngs of supporters, calling McCain a "feistier candidate" with running mate Sarah Palin at his side.

On the TV program “Face the Nation” Sunday, McCain said that if elected, he will appoint Democrats to his inner circle and the administration.

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