Tracking poll: Narrow Gore lead holds in tightening race

By CNN Polling Director Keating Holland

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Vice President Al Gore's narrow lead over presidential rival Texas Gov. George W. Bush continues to hold in Wednesday's CNN/USA Today/Gallup tracking poll, but the race has drawn closer.

Interviews with 678 likely voters, conducted September 17-19, indicate Gore has 49 percent of the vote, while Bush claims the support of 43 percent. As the poll has a sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points, Gore's lead falls within the statistical margin of error.

Today's results evidence little change from the beginning of the week, with Al Gore's support remaining in the high 40s and George W. Bush maintaining his strength in the mid-40s.

Gore's support has remained at 48 percent or 49 percent for 10 consecutive days; while Bush has hovered in the 43-44 percent range since the start of the week. Given the fact that Bush had spent the previous seven days at 41-42 percent, today's figures indicate that Bush has probably gained some support since last week, but has been unable to convert any Gore supporters during that time. Only time will tell whether those Bush gains reflect a permanent change in public opinion.

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 17-19

Likely voters' choice for president

Gore      49%

Bush      43 

Nader      3

Buchanan   1

Sampling error: +/-4 percent pts

COMPLETE TRACKING TREND ON HORSE RACE