Diageo/Hotline Tracking Poll: The Early Line

Obama/Biden 50%

McCain/Palin 43%

Undec 5%

- Obama gained 2% since the previous Diageo/Hotline tracking poll and McCain stayed flat, giving the Dem nominee a 7% overall lead.

- McCain's 8% advantage among men from Thurs.'s release has nearly vanished today; the AZ Sen. now leads men 47-46%. Meanwhile Obama's lead among women remained essentially the same, moving from 17% to 16%.

- Obama leads battleground LVs -- those in CO, FL, MI, NH, NM, NV, OH, PA, VA and WI -- 51-40%. One week ago, in the survey completed 10/16, he led these swing-state voters 54-35%.

Today's Diageo/Hotline tracking poll, conducted 10/21-23 by FD, surveyed 766 LVs and has a margin of error of +/- 3.5%. Party ID Breakdown for the sample is 41%D, 37%R, 18%I.

For subscribers, look to today's Latest Edition for full results and checkout Keys To The White House at any time to see how Obama and McCain are doing among key demographic groups.

(MATTHEW GOTTLIEB)