A Quinnipiac University poll conducted for the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post shows Republican candidate closing the gap on Democrat candidate Barrack Obama in swing states.

THE RACE: The presidential race in Colorado

THE NUMBERS

Republican John McCain, 46 percent

Democrat Barack Obama, 44 percent

OF INTEREST:

Obama led McCain by 5 percentage points in the same poll taken last month. McCain holds a solid lead among men — 55 to 37 percent — but women lean toward Obama, 50 to 39 percent. Whites back McCain by 10 points while nearly six in 10 Hispanics prefer Obama. Voters over age 55 favor McCain, while those younger tilt toward Obama. The two split voters ages 34 to 54. When it comes to their preference of first lady, more respondents say Cindy McCain fits the profile than Michelle Obama — 37 to 27 percent. Voters are divided on which White House hopeful has the best energy policy, with 34 percent undecided.

———

THE RACE: The presidential race in Michigan

THE NUMBERS

Barack Obama, 46 percent

John McCain, 42 percent

OF INTEREST:

Obama leads by 12 percentage points among Michigan's female voters, while men back McCain by a 5-point margin. Blacks overwhelmingly favor Obama. The two candidates run closer among white voters, with 48 percent supporting McCain to Obama's 40 percent. Obama holds a 10-point edge among younger voters. Middle-aged and older people are more closely divided. Voters are split on which candidate's wife best fits their idea of a first lady. Respondents say Obama has the best energy policy, 35 to 28 percent.

———

THE RACE: The presidential race in Minnesota

THE NUMBERS

Barack Obama, 46 percent

John McCain, 44 percent

OF INTEREST:

McCain has narrowed the gap between the contenders; Obama led by 17 points in the same poll taken last month. Women favor Obama, while men lean toward McCain. Whites are divided between the two. Middle-aged voters are also split, while Obama has a 4-point edge with voters over 55. The Democrat holds a 15-point lead with younger voters. In first lady preference, Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain are running about even. Forty percent of voters are undecided on which candidate has the best energy policy, though Obama has an 8-point edge.

———

THE RACE: The presidential race in Wisconsin

THE NUMBERS

Barack Obama, 50 percent

John McCain, 39 percent

OF INTEREST:

Women support Obama over McCain by 25 points, while McCain holds a 6-point edge with men. Obama leads among likely voters old and young. Respondents were divided over which contender's spouse fits their idea of a first lady. More women favor Michelle Obama, 33 to 24 percent; men like Cindy McCain, 32 to 24 percent. Wisconsin voters preferred Obama's energy policy, 34 to 29 percent.

———

The Quinnipiac University poll, taken for The Wall Street Journal and washingtonpost.com, was conducted July 14-22. It involved telephone interviews with 1,425 likely Colorado voters, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points; 1,684 likely Michigan voters, with a 2.4 point margin of sampling error; 1,261 likely Minnesota voters, with a 2.8 point margin of sampling error, and 1,094 likely Wisconsin voters, with a 3-point margin of sampling error.

———

COMPLETE RESULTS: www.quinnipiac.edu , www.washingtonpost.com and www.wsj.com