Obama takes the lead in Colorado

Barack Obama is viewed as the candidate of change, allowing the Democratic candidate for president to regain his lead among likely voters in Colorado, according to the latest poll by Quinnipiac University of Hamden, Conn.

After falling behind Sen. John McCain in July and August, the Illinois senator moved ahead 49 percent to 45 percent, according to the poll, conducted in partnership with The Wall Street Journal and Washingtonpost.com. Quinnipiac surveyed 1,418 likely Colorado voters from Sept. 14-21, and the poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percent.

In the race for the state's open Senate seat, Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Udall leads Republican Bob Schaffer 48 percent to 40 percent, compared with a 44-44 percent tie in July.

Obama probably benefited from the Democratic National Convention, held in Denver from Aug. 25-28.

"Two years ago, when the Democrats picked Denver for their convention, one of the main reasons was the hope it would help them win Colorado, which is shaping up as a key state in the Electoral College," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Sen. Obama has come from behind to take the lead there, and it is a reasonable assumption that the convention has something to do with this."

In addition to polling Colorado, Quinnipiac also surveyed the battleground states of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In Michigan, Obama leads McCain by 48 percent to 44 percent, compared with 46-42 percent in July; in Minnesota, site of the Republican National Convention, he leads McCain by 47-45 percent, compared with 46-44 in July; and in Wisconsin, Obama leads McCain by 49-42 percent, compared with 50-39 in July.

"Sen. Obama, who leads in all four states, has made himself the candidate of change with a dual-track strategy: joining Sen. McCain at the hip with President George Bush, who symbolizes the status quo, while sharply defining himself and his policies as the antithesis of the president. The Wall Street meltdown while these polls were in the field probably fed the public desire for change and seemed to benefit Sen. Obama."

In Colorado, 46 percent of likely voters say Obama will bring change, compared with 22 percent for McCain and 26 percent who say neither will bring change.

Obama leads 55-40 percent among likely Colorado female voters, while men back McCain 49-42 percent. White voters back McCain 51-44 percent as Latino voters go with Obama 68-26 percent. Obama and McCain are tied 48-48 percent with voters 18 to 34 years old, while voters 35 to 54 back Obama 52-42 percent. Voters over 55 go 47 percent with McCain and 46 percent with Obama.

Colorado's likely voters believe that McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as a running mate is a good choice by 55 percent to 38 percent. They also believe that Obama's choice of Sen. Joe Biden is a good choice by 52 percent to 32 percent.

The economy is the most important issue in the election, 51 percent of Colorado voters say. Obama better understands the economy, voters say 47-41 percent, while McCain better understands foreign policy, voters say 63-29 percent.