McCain Now Up by 10 Points

When pollsters want to inflate the prospects of Democratic candidates, they don't report the responses of likely voters only. Because that changes the results dramatically:

The Republican National Convention has given John McCain and his party a significant boost, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken over the weekend shows, as running mate Sarah Palin helps close an “enthusiasm gap” that has dogged the GOP all year.

McCain leads Democrat Barack Obama by 50%-46% among registered voters, the Republican’s biggest advantage since January and a turnaround from the USA TODAY poll taken just before the convention opened in St. Paul. ...

In the new poll, taken Friday through Sunday, McCain leads Obama by 54%-44% among those seen as most likely to vote.

In this case, the differential is probably understated because conservative turnout is likely going to set records given the enthusiasm over Sarah Palin.

The key demographic: 20-point shift towards McCain among white women in one month McCain is leading among white women 53 percent to 41 percent (ABC poll). Credit Palin.