Barack Obama is once again in the lead as this tight, unpredictable race for the president enters its final weeks.

The new CBS poll has Obama ahead 48-43 while the latest Quinnipiac survey shows Obama leading 49-45. State polls also appear to be tightening with Obama now ahead in Indiana 48-45.

The daily tracking polls have also switched with Gallup showing Obama 2 points ahead and Rasmussen having the two candidates tied at 48 each.

A combination of factors have played a role in Obama's mini-surge. The financial crisis has people worried about the economy which helps Obama. McCain's convention bounce has largely dissipated. And attacks on Sarah Palin are gaining some traction with independents and women who have now come back and are supporting Obama in greater numbers than last week.

In essence, the race is exactly where it was back in August.

Some analysts (mostly Democratic) believe that this surge by Obama will continue and he will power ahead from now until the election and win going away. Don't bet the house on it. This is an extremely close race with all but 3-5% of the electorate having made up their minds already. It is likely that those small number of undecideds will tell the tale on election day.