Two National Polls: Obama Up 9, 8

Barack Obama leads John McCain nationally in a new Quinnipiac poll, 50% to 41%, with huge advantages among female and young voters. The two split independents with 44% apiece, and McCain led 47%-44% among men and 49%-42% among white voters, the Boston Globe reports. Far more respondents said they were uncomfortable with a president aged 72 than with a black president.

The poll's director called Obama's lead "solid—but it’s not monolithic,” adding, "The outcome probably will be decided in the middle, among the independent voters." Separately, a Washington Post-ABC survey showed Obama up 8 points, his biggest lead yet. The Dem had a 19-point advantage on economic know-how, but a 16-point deficit in knowledge of world affairs. (More Barack Obama stories.)