Obama commands significant lead in new poll

As the U.S. Senate continues debates the economic bailout bill on Capitol Hill, a new poll conducted by CBS News and the New York Times indicates Sen. Barack Obama has a nine point advantage over his Republican rival.

The poll of 1,257 adults conducted Sunday through Tuesday found 49 percent of those surveyed back Obama compared to 40 percent who endorsed Sen. John McCain. 54 percent of respondents said they feel Obama has a plan to address the economic crisis, while 47 percent disapproved of how they feel McCain has dealt with the current turmoil.

The survey further indicated President George W. Bush's approval rating has dropped to a historically low 22 percent. And Congressional support is an abysmal 15 percent.

A surprise? Arguably not since Democrats tend to fair better in the polls during times of economic certainty, but these numbers further confirm the Bush administration's credibility remains largely gone as it enters its twilight. Both candidates continue to point to the change they contend Washington needs. And most Americans appear ready to make it happen on Nov. 4.

Young People Continue to Moderate to the Left

Poll results published in today's New York Times confirms young Americans increasingly support marriage for same-sex couples and continue to lean to the left in terms of their political ideology. The poll found 68 percent of those between the ages of 17 and 29 favored marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples as compared to 60 percent of all adults surveyed. [The poll, rather interestingly, found 43 percent of those between 17 and 29 polled feel gay men and lesbians can choose their sexual orientation.]

Political realities and movements for social change never exist purely in black or white as this poll's results indicate. The larger issue remains, however, that young Americans continue to moderate their positions on marriage for same-sex couples, abortion and a host of other issues at the expense of social conservatives who continue to push their anti-gay, anti-choice agenda. This blogger is 25 so he fits within the polls demographic. Student loan payments, access to quality health care, economic and environmental sustainability remain important issues for him -- and dare he venture for many young Americans as well. Times continue to change. The reality of life sometimes dictate the issues about which people care as they enter the voting booth or decide which Presidential candidate to support in the primary and caucus season. These results simply confirm this trend.