"energy policy has emerged as the most potent issue in the [US Presidential] race"

McCain gains ground on Obama in Minnesota, poll finds

John McCain has gained ground on Barack Obama in Minnesota, while Sen. Norm Coleman is widening his lead over Democratic challenger Al Franken, according to a new poll.

A Quinnipiac University poll released today found that Obama leads McCain 46 percent to 44 percent among the state's likely voters, a statistical tie. That tossup result is at odds with other recent polls showing Obama with an average lead of more than 5 percentage points. A Quinnipiac poll last month found a whopping 17 percentage-point Obama lead.
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In all four states, energy policy has emerged as the most potent issue in the race, outstripping the importance of the war in Iraq.

By a 49 percent to 41 percent margin, likely voters in Minnesota say a candidate's energy policy is more important than his policy on the war in Iraq. And voters say 34 percent to 26 percent, with 40 percent undecided, that Obama has the best energy policy.