The latest Gallup tracking poll shows Sen. Barack Obama opening up an eight point lead over Sen. John McCain, 50% to 42%. It's "just one point shy of his strongest showing of the year."
Meanwhile, Nate Silver reviews the national tracking polls and concludes Obama "has as large a lead in the election as he's held all year. But there is much less time left on the clock than there was during other Obama periods of strength, such as in February, mid-June or immediately following the Democratic convention. This is a very difficult combination of circumstances for" McCain.