The Early Line: Diageo/Hotline Tracking Poll

Obama/Biden 50%
McCain/Palin 40%
Undec 7%

- Burgeoning Record. In the first Diageo/Hotline poll taken fully after the 2nd WH debate, Obama leads McCain by 10%, his largest margin thus far. Previously, Obama's record advantage had been 7%.

- Prepare & Contrast. McCain now has his smallest lead ever on who LVs feel is more prepared to lead the nation. 46% say McCain is more prepared, while 43% say Obama. A week ago, in the survey completed 10/3, McCain led 49-41%.

- Hail To The Victor. LVs overwhelmingly feel Obama won the 2nd debate. Among the 71% who watched, 53% say the Dem nominee prevailed, while just 14% say McCain. In a similarly timed sample of RVs after the 1st debate, 42% said Obama won and 25% said McCain.

- Made The Grades. Obama scored considerably higher among debate watchers than McCain. 71% say Obama did an "excellent" or "good" job in the debate, while only 38% say the same of McCain. 27% say Obama did an "only fair" or "poor" job, while 59% say the same of McCain.

Today's Diageo/Hotline tracking poll, conducted 10/8-10 by FD, surveyed 808 LVs and has a margin of error of +/- 3.4%. Party ID Breakdown for the sample is 41%D, 37%R, 18%I.