Obama increases lead over McCain slightly since debate

Obama convinces more voters that he is 'presidential' and up to the top challenges facing the nation, a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll shows.
By Noam N. Levey
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

September 29, 2008

WASHINGTON — Democrat Barack Obama has made strides in convincing Americans that he can handle the toughest challenges facing the country, including the financial meltdown and international crises, according to a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg survey taken after Friday's presidential debate.

The poll of registered voters who watched the first showdown in Oxford, Miss., also showed a slight increase in Obama's lead over Republican John McCain.

The Illinois senator extended his advantage to 49% to 44%, compared with last week, when the same respondents gave him a 48% to 45% edge.

Obama's incremental advance, which followed a week in which McCain controversially inserted himself into the congressional debate over a $700-billion market bailout, tracked with larger gains Obama made among debate-watchers in showing himself ready for the Oval Office

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