Polls: McCain Closing Gap With Obama

WASHINGTON -- Just days before the Democratic National Convention begins in Denver, polls showed the race between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain getting tighter. Suspense over both candidates’ choice of running mates is only getting stronger.

Obama campaigned in Virginia Wednesday, a traditionally red state that Democrats want to turn blue in November. He was introduced by former Gov. Mark Warner, who will deliver the keynote speech at next week’s convention.

"I want to make sure that the next generation here in Martinsville, here in Henry County, here in the United States of America, has the jobs and the opportunity of the future," Obama told the crowd.

The state’s current governor, Tim Kaine, is thought to be on Obama’s short list for a running mate. That list should finally shrink to one on Saturday, when the candidate plans to appear with his pick at a rally in Illinois.

Another rumored short lister, Sen. Joseph Biden, told reporters that he’s “not the guy.”

Most polls showed a tightening race overall. Obama’s average edge over McCain is down to one point and a new Reuters/Zogby polls showed McCain surging to a 5-point lead.

"Several things happened, including the fact that Obama went on vacation and McCain didn't, so for a short period at least he was more in the news," said Stephen Hess of The Brookings Institution.

McCain has also been hammering Obama on issues like foreign policy.

"I am not questioning his patriotism,” McCain said. “I am questioning his judgment."

As for McCain's VP choice, new convention details are fueling speculation: Possible picks Mitt Romney and Bobby Jindal are scheduled to speak on the same night an as-yet unnamed running mate is supposed to take the stage. Two high-profile women sometimes mentioned as possible choices are also set to speak that night: former eBay CEO Meg Whitman and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina.

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani will be the convention’s keynote speaker and onetime Democratic vice-presidential nominee Sen. Joe Lieberman is also scheduled to speak.

McCain was questioned at a town hall meeting Wednesday about whether his running mate will be pro-life and a conservative. He declined to answer directly, saying that the person will be someone who shares his values.