Recent polls show Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama continuing to hold a strong lead over Republican presidential candidate John McCain in Wisconsin, but reveal a presidential race that is much tighter nationally.
A WISC-TV October poll has Obama leading McCain 52 to 41 percent, while a Wisconsin Public Radio/St. Norbert College Poll shows Obama leading by 13 points in Wisconsin.
However, an Associated Press poll and the national George Washington University Battleground Poll reveals a much smaller gap nationwide, suggesting a gain in McCain's campaign.
UW-Madison political science professor Kenneth Mayer said any poll by itself can be misleading, but polls are pretty accurate if collectively averaged.
Joe Wurzelbacher, known as Joe the Plumber,"" who told Obama he would be hurt by his economic plan, was a hot topic during the last presidential debate and, according to Mayer, may be benefiting McCain's campaign.
""He seemed to play to the strengths of the Republicans, which is the working person who is trying to get out from under the oppressive government regulation and taxation,"" Mayer said.
Obama's recent suspension of his campaign to visit his ill grandmother may add yet another twist to the polls.
Although Mayer said suspending a campaign does not do a lot of good for candidates, he also said it humanizes them.
""It shows that despite everything, these are two men who have families and the same things happen to them that happen to everyone else.""
