New Gallup Poll Gives McCain Post-GOP Convention Lead

Gallup conducted a poll over the weekend amongst more than a 1,000 adults and for the first time in months McCain has a lead. Amongst registered voters, McCain leads Obama 50% to 46% and amongst likely voters the gap more than doubles from 54% to 44%.

There's no doubt Sarah Palin plays a big role here. Even though McCain was holding his own with Obama prior to the RNC there was far much more enthusiasm amongst Democrats for Obama than Republicans for McCain. Palin has generated as much enthusiasm for McCain as Obama has for himself.

But some of the credit certainly goes to McCain himself. The fact that more people tuned in to his acceptance speech than to Obama's attests to it. McCain might not possess Obama's gift of gab but McCain has a transparent decency, has paid his dues and loves his country in good times and in bad.

Of course, a lot can happen in the next 8 weeks especially with the debates. But the race has changed and is now McCain and Palin's to lose.