Tracking poll: Bush, Gore in neck-and-neck race

By CNN Polling Director Keating Holland

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The presidential contest has tightened to a neck-and-neck race, with Texas Gov. George W. Bush holding a slight lead over Vice President Al Gore in Sunday's CNN/USA Today/Gallup tracking poll.

In a poll of 693 likely voters conducted September 21-23, Bush stood at 47 percent and Gore 46 percent.

Bush has made significant gains since last weekend and, for the first time since Labor Day, appears to have done so at Gore's expense.

Gore's support had not dipped below 47 percent in over two weeks, when Bush last led the race. There is no question that the race has tightened and Bush has gained strength in the past few days; it is less clear whether he will continue to do so or whether the race will remain tight.

Bush gained 10 points among women since the middle of last week and only two points among men. Although he still trails Gore among women, the GOP's Bush has cut the Democrat's lead -- Gore is favored by 48 percent of women, compared to Bush's 44 percent. Men still favor Bush, as they did even when he was down by a significant margin in midweek polling.

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL

September 21-23

Likely voters' choice for president

Bush      47 percent

Gore      46 percent

Nader      1 percent

Buchanan   1 percent

Sampling error: +/-4 percentage points

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL

September 21-23

Likely voters' choice for president

         Now             September 18-20


WOMEN

Gore     48 percent      58 percent

Bush     44 percent      34 percent

-----------------------------------------

MEN

Gore     44 percent      43 percent

Bush     49 percent      47 percent

Sampling error: +/-6 percentage points

COMPLETE TRACKING TREND ON HORSE RACE