Obama had a 6.0 percent lead in the Day to Day Politics Poll Average after the Democratic National Convention, but now is trailing after the Republican National Convention and the announcement of Sarah Palin as McCain’s running mate. This is the first time McCain has led Obama in the poll average since the two candidates emerged as their party’s presumptive nominees after the primaries.
After McCain chose Palin, the current Governor of Alaska, as his vice presidential candidate and the Republican National Convention, a Gallup poll had shown that the percentage of Republicans who are enthusiastic about voting has increased by 18%. The Democrats enthusiasm has only increased by 10% since the addition of Joe Biden to the nomination ticket and after the Democratic National Convention.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3654344/posts
Sarah actually cared about winning in 2008. That enthusiasm was and is infectious.