Politics | Barack Obama Poll: Race Tightens Up Obama leads McCain by 5 points, down from 8 By Matt Cantor Posted Oct 21, 2008 7:32 AM CDT Copied Florida supporters of Democrat presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. attend a campaign rally, Monday, Oct. 20, 2008, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius) The presidential race is tightening, with Barack Obama leading John McCain 51% to 46% among likely voters, down from an 8-point gap, a CNN/Opinion Research Center poll shows. McCain’s boost may be linked to a drop in the number of people who think he’ll continue President Bush’s policies —49% compared with 56% in an Oct. 3-5 poll, reports CNN. Some 53% of those polled believe Obama is stronger on the financial crisis, compared with 38% for McCain. Obama is seen as better for the middle class, with 63% saying he’s better equipped to help it, almost twice McCain’s 32%. A CNN poll of polls shows the Illinois senator maintaining a 6-point lead in the race, 50% to 44%. Read These Next Mark Zuckerberg's 'list' has Silicon Valley buzzing. IAEA chief downplays damage to Iran nuclear sites. Hall of Famer Dave Parker dies The screwworm is truly the stuff of horror films. Report an error