Quinnipiac Poll: Obama up two points

Posted at 6:12 AM on September 23, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The poll shows that 47% of those polled back Obama. 45% back McCain. When a similar poll was conducted in July, Obama was leading McCain 46% to 44%. Quinnipiac University surveyed 1301 likely voters in Minnesota between September 14th and September 21st. 55% of those polled say the economy is the biggest issue but are split as to which candidate better understands the economy. A majority of those polled say McCain better understands foreign policy. Here's some analysis by Quinnipiac Pollster Clay Richards:

"Sen. John McCain is within striking distance in Minnesota for two reasons: Republicans held their convention in the state and the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin brought a new wave of independent women to the GOP ticket, offsetting a big swing by independent men to Obama," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Pollsters also surveyed the Senate race but it did not include Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley. The poll found that Republican Senator Norm Coleman is leading DFL challenger Al Franken by seven percentage points. Coleman received 49% support from those polled. Franken received 42%. In a July poll, Coleman received support from 53% of those polled while Franken got 38% support.

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