Democratic nominee Barack Obama’s lead over Republican John McCain has grown after the Democratic convention, which 71 percent of Americans say they watched. Obama and his running mate Joe Biden now lead McCain and Sarah Palin 48 percent to 40 percent, according to the latest CBS News poll.

This is the first CBS News poll to include the vice presidential candidates in the horserace question.

The eight-point lead for the Democratic ticket is up from Obama’s three-point lead before the convention. But there are still a significant number of voters who have yet to firmly make up their minds.

… more at CBS news

Talking Points Memo crunches the numbers:

* It finds that Obama’s lead has jumped to eight points, 48%-40%, up from three points before the convention, which 71 percent of Americans say they watched.

* Obama has taken a six-point lead among independents, 43%-37%, up from a 12-point deficit.

* Obama’s lead among women has jumped to 14 points, 50%-36%, and a leap in enthusiasm among his supporters.

* Though there has been no change in the number who say he’s prepared for the job, fewer say he isn’t prepared — a key McCain attack line.

* And here’s a key number: Fifty-eight percent say Obama is “tough enough,” a jump of 10 points since early August, suggesting that Obama’s speech, which was dense with specific and pointed attacks on McCain, may have worked in that it displayed a willingness to take the fight to his opponent in a more serious and sustained way that many voters had previously seen.

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   [...] to Bridget McCain in the past explanation for her daddy ditching him for the beauty queen? The increased Obama lead is cheering but probably not worth factoring in until the GOP convention and its net effects can be [...]