GOP gets huge lift from convention

By Rick Moran

If one were to look at history, you have to say that the 10 points John McCain and the GOP received following their convention would dissipate in a couple of weeks. Such fleeting advantages as convention bounces rarely last and the past tells us that before we know it, we'll probably be pretty close to even again.

But the important thing about this USA Today-Gallup Poll is some interesting side questions asked by the pollster. It appears now that the GOP matches the Democrats in enthusiasm for their ticket and that for the first time in ages, the Republican brand appears to be attracting voters:

To top off the good news, McCain leads Obama 50-46 after trailing the Democrat 50-43 before the GOP Minnesota confab:

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. Then, he lagged by 7 percentage points.

The convention bounce has helped not only McCain but also attitudes toward Republican congressional candidates and the GOP in general.

"The Republicans had a very successful convention and, at least initially, the selection of Sarah Palin has made a big difference," says political scientist Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia. "He's in a far better position than his people imagined he would be in at this point."

The GOP is hardly out of the woods yet. Due to factors like poor candidate recruitment and a decided disadvantage in fundraising, it is likely that the Republicans will still lose some seats in the House and several senate seats as well. But I think if this trend continues, the Democrats can stop dreaming about a "veto proof" senate" and a 20-25 seat pickup in the House.

And Obama knows now he is in the fight of his political life.