US elections: Obama on double-digit lead over McCain

Washington: Less than 2 weeks now to the US election, Democrat presidential hopeful Barack Obama is widening his lead over rival John McCain.

Obama is even gaining on his Republican rival in states like Virginia and Indiana that have gone Republican in the past few elections.

Two National polls on Wednesday have given Obama a double-digit lead.

The Pew research centre survey shows him leading McCain 52-38 a 14 point lead.

While the Wall Street Journal NBC poll put the race 52-42 in Obama's favour.

A growing number of voters say they're now comfortable with Obama's values, background and ability to serve as commander in chief, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

The poll suggests that the McCain campaign's attacks stoking concerns about Obama's past and his qualifications, raising questions about his character and his association with 1960s-era radical William Ayers, haven't worked.

Though most voters polled said that McCain is better prepared for the White House than the first-term senator from Illinois, there are increasing concerns about the readiness of Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Overall, the poll found 52 percent of voters favour Obama, the first African-American to run on a major party ticket, versus 42 percent for McCain. That 10-point lead is up from a six-point Obama edge two weeks ago.

He can probably afford to take the next two days when he is suspending campaign appearances to visit his ailing grandmother in Hawaii.