Tracking poll: Gore opens modest lead over Bush

By CNN Polling Director Keating Holland

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Vice President Al Gore has established a modest lead over presidential rival Texas Gov. George W. Bush, according to the daily CNN/USA Today/Gallup tracking poll. Minor party challengers Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan continue to post support in the single-digits.

Immediately following the Democratic convention, Gore pulled even with Bush, and the race remained neck-and-neck through the first few days of the tracking poll, which began on Labor Day. Since then, Gore has opened up a narrow lead, and beginning last weekend his support has stayed in the high 40's, while Bush's has remained in the low 40's.

Interviews with 685 likely voters, conducted September 10-12, confirm that Democrat presidential nominee Gore -- for the first time -- has taken an 8 point lead over Republican rival Bush. Gore claimed 49 percent of the survey's likely voters, while Bush had the support of 41 percent. The poll has a sampling error of +/-4% percent.

CNN will be releasing the results on its tracking polls every day until the November 7 elections. The polls monitor public opinion of the presidential race over intervals of two to three days.

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL

September 10-12

Likely Voters'
Choice for President

Gore      49%

Bush      41

Nader      4

Buchanan   1

Sampling error: +/-4% pts

COMPLETE TRACKING TREND ON HORSE RACE:

         Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept.


         4-6   5-7   6-8   7-9   8-10  9-11  10-12



Gore      47%  46%   45%   47%    49%   48%   49% 


Bush      44%  43%   46%   44%    42%   42%   41%


Nader      3    3     2     2      3     4     4


Buchanan   *    1     1     1      1     1     1