Obama expands Virginia lead

Barack Obama 51
John McCain 43

For the first time in a PPP Virginia poll this year the outcome is something other than a two point lead for Barack Obama. He has opened up an eight point advantage in the state.

Obama's made tremendous strides with white voters over the last three weeks, cutting a 60-35 gap with them to 52-42. A PPP analysis earlier in the summer showed that Obama would most likely win Virginia if he could capture just 39% of the white vote, and at 42% currently with 6% still undecided it appears at this point he would reach that threshold easily.

As it is everywhere concern about the economy is driving gains for Obama. 63% of Virginians list it as their biggest issue, and among those voters he has a 59-36 lead. Independents have moved toward Obama in droves. Where three weeks ago McCain led 51-34 with them, Obama has flipped that to a 49-37 advantage in his direction.

The same gains in popularity for Joe Biden and drops for Sarah Palin that PPP has found everywhere else apply in Virginia as well. Immediately after the GOP convention Palin had a 42/40 favorability rating, which has now dropped to 37/46. Biden is up from 38/27 to 43/26.

In Virginia's US Senate race Mark Warner continues to hold a commanding 58-31 lead over Jim Gilmore while taking independents at a remarkable rate of 66-20.

Full results here.