Obama Surges Ahead of McCain in Siena Poll ALBANY, NY (WAMC) - As the Vice Presidential candidates prepare to debate, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) has opened a commanding 22-point lead over Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), up from five points three weeks ago, according to a new Siena (College) Research Institute poll of likely voters released today. Obama leads McCain 58-36 percent, increasing his lead among Democrats and now leading with independent voters by 15 points, after being tied among independents in the last Siena poll. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas spoke with SRI spokesman Steven Greenberg. © Copyright 2009, WAMC