Nevada poll: Obama at 50 percent, McCain 43 percent

RENO -- A poll shows Democrat Barack Obama has opened up a legitimate statistical lead over Republican John McCain in Nevada for the first time.

The statewide survey shows Obama with 50 percent to McCain's 43 percent. Three percent sided with other candidates and 4 percent said they remain undecided.

The survey of 600 likely voters was for the Reno Gazette-Journal and Channel 2 News from Oct. 3 to Oct. 6.

It has a margin of error of 4 percent, which means Obama's lead is outside the margin of error.

Prior to the poll, only McCain had enjoyed a lead in Nevada outside the margin of error and that was early in the campaign season.

Recent polls had shown the two senators in a statistical dead heat.

The new poll released Tuesday was by the Maryland-based Research 2000.

It's the first the newspaper has commissioned since the two announced their vice presidential running mates.