TRACKERS

Posted at Posted at 1:24 p.m. ET

Both trackers have now been posted, and the results are dramatic.

As reported below, Rasmussen has the race tied.

But Gallup now has McCain three points ahead, 48-45, his best showing in almost four months.

The polling for both polling organizations was taken entirely in the three days following Sarah Palin's acceptance speech, and in the two days following John McCain's.  Tomorrow's result will reflect polling done entirely after the Republican convention.

The question:  Can McCain keep this lead, and build on it, or will this bounce fade, as Obama's did following his convention?  The fade for Obama came as a result of McCain's shot-in-the-arm convention.  Obama has to counter McCain with something, and he's recently seemed directionless. 

Another question:  Will some in the media now go to town on McCain/Palin, and try to change the polls?  Is this a difficult question?  The effect of press coverage may be the great subtext of this campaign.

This is the most exciting race since Reagan defeated Carter in 1980, and it keeps getting better.

September 7, 2008.