Tracking poll: Narrow Gore lead holds, but race may be tightening

By CNN Polling Director Keating Holland

Vice President Al Gore still holds a narrow lead over presidential rival Texas Gov. George W. Bush in today's CNN/USA Today/Gallup tracking poll, but the race may be drawing closer.

Interviews with 697 likely voters, conducted September 16-18, indicate Gore is pulling 48 percent of the vote, while Bush claims the support of 44 percent, a lead of four points.

While there are indications in today's results of a tightening presidential race, it may be too soon to tell whether this is a temporary shift or a permanent change in public opinion. Bush's 44 percent reading is his highest total in the tracking poll in over a week, but it's worth noting that while Bush's support has been going up, it has not been at Gore's expense. The vice-president's support has held steady in the high-40s since the start of the tracking poll and has not dropped below 48 percent in more than a week. The race is currently where it was at the start of the tracking poll (Sept. 4-6), when Gore had a 47 percent to 44 percent margin over Bush.

Since the poll has a sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points, Gore's lead does fall within the statistical margin of error.

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 16-18

Likely voters' choice for president

Gore      48%

Bush      44 

Nader      2

Buchanan   *

Sampling error: +/-4percent pts

An asterisk means that Buchanan is winning less than one half of one percent.

COMPLETE TRACKING TREND ON HORSE RACE