Barack Obama Takes Big Lead in Polls.--

Barack Obama got a big boost this week in the Gallup Poll, jumping to a 9% lead in a poll of registered voters (49-40). In the Rasmussen Poll of likely voters, the difference is a smaller, but still substantial 5% (49-44).

MONDAY NOON UPDATE: Rasmussen's Tracking Poll released Monday morning now shows only a 3% difference (48-45).

The REAL CLEAR POLITICS combined average of recent polls is now 4.7%.

MONDAY 6PM UPDATE: Gallup has released yet another poll today, this one showing McCain insignificantly ahead among LIKELY voters.