NBC/WSJ Poll: Obama Holds Lead, Only 14% Of McCain Supporters "Excited"

A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll is out tonight. Some key highlights:

-- Barack Obama leads John Mcain by 6 percent, 47-41, a number unchanged since last month's poll. But when Ralph Nader and Bob Barr are added as options, Obama's lead doubles to 13 points.

Obama 48
McCain 35
Nader 5
Barr 2

-- McCain has a slight edge, 46-41, when respondents were asked to identify the "safer" choice for president. But Obama is seen widely as the "riskier" choice, by a margin of 55-35.

-- McCain faces a major enthusiasm gap. Only 14 percent of his supporters say they are "excited" about him, versus 44 percent for Obama. For McCain, 43 percent describe him as the "lesser of two evils," versus 22 percent for Obama.

-- On a key issue of the day, Americans side with Obama: 60 percent believe a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq is a good idea; 30 percent do not.

-- As Eric Kleefeld notes, "Huge majorities say Obama is more likable, more compassionate and able to understand average people, offers hope and optimism for the future, and would improve America's standing in the world. But at the same time, McCain has his own lop-sided majorities on being a good commander-in-chief, and on being knowledgeable and experienced enough to handle the presidency."

More breakdown of the poll from MSNBC's Keith Olbermann and NBC News political director Chuck Todd: