Sen. John McCain is now tied with Barack Obama in the latest Rasmussen Daily Tracking Poll. With "leaners" included, McCain and Obama are now in a 46%-46% tie:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows Barack Obama attracting 44% of the vote while John McCain earns 42%. When "leaners" are included, it’s Obama 46% and McCain 46%. McCain is viewed favorably by 56% of voters, Obama by 54%. Tracking Polls are released at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time each day. State polling released yesterday showed Obama with a steady lead in Oregon and McCain with a twenty-point lead in Kansas.

McCain is supported by 82% of Republicans and holds an eleven-point edge among unaffiliated voters. Obama is supported by 76% of Democrats. Obama leads among voters under 30 while McCain has the edge among those over 65. The two candidates are even among voters aged 30-64. Thirty-four percent (34%) of voters are certain they will vote for Obama and not change their mind before November. Another 34% are that certain about voting for McCain. That leaves 32% open to changing their mind before voting and creates a potential for either candidate to open a significant lead in the fall.

I bolded the statement above that McCain has an 11 point lead among "unaffiliated voters." This could be significant as a lot of the undecided voters composed of independents and conservative Democrats decide in October as the campaign draws to a close. If McCain can be within five points following the GOP Convention, he has a great chance to win in my view. I believe many of the undecideds will break his way as they decide Obama is just way too risky to turn the nation over to. Expect to see Obama rise in the polls during and just after his trip overseas. He is going to get fawning media coverage of his every move. They will try to make him look as Presidential as possible in every respect.

But "the best laid plans of mice and men" sometimes go awry. Obama just may make a dreadful gaffe during his trip, something the media can't sweep under the rug. He may not get such a great reception in Iraq or Afghanistan. It should be very interesting. Who knows? Obama's trip may wind up being a net plus for -- John McCain. Let's hope!