The NBC-Wall Street Journal poll had Bush ahead 48 percent to 42 percent among likely voters, with a 4-point error margin. A CNN-Time poll released over the weekend also showed Bush up slightly, 48 percent to 43 percent, and a Voter.com Battleground poll had Bush up 43 percent to 39 percent. Several other surveys have shown the two candidates within the error margins.

Bush has gained ground in the race for 270 electoral votes. Heading into the first debate, Gore narrowly led Bush, according to analysis of state polls and interviews with consultants in both parties. Now, Bush holds a slight lead after states that once leaned toward Gore, such as Pennsylvania and Tennessee, became tossups after the first debate on Oct. 3.

Democrat Gore continues to hold the advantage on top issues like the economy, Social Security, foreign policy and education. He also has a big advantage in having the knowledge and experience to handle the presidency.

Republican Bush scores highest on trust. Almost half, 45 percent, said he was more honest and straightforward than Gore, 29 percent. Bush also had the advantage on setting the proper moral tone for the country, 39 percent to 29 percent, and being trustworthy enough to make the right decisions, 43 percent to 32 percent.

Bush also scored better on leadership qualities, 41 percent to 35 percent, and being more likable, 44 percent to 30 percent, in the NBC-WSJ poll of 736 likely voters taken Oct. 13-15.

Gore ran into trouble on the trust question after the first debate, when some of his comments turned out to be flawed. He apologized for the statements during the second debate last Wednesday and promised to be more careful.

Bush has been accused by Democrats of exaggerating, but Gore's history of exaggeration caused the claims about him to resonate more loudly.

Gore and Bush were about even on trust in the weeks after the Democratic convention.

When asked whether restoring moral and family values or maintaining economic growth was a higher priority, more voters said moral values, 43 percent to 31 percent, in the NBC-WSJ poll. That's a reversal from a month ago, when economic growth was favored, 44 percent to 36 percent.

When asked which candidate would be better at handling the crisis in the Middle East, Bush and Gore were about even in the NBC-WSJ poll. In a Christian Science Monitor poll of 800 likely voters, by a 48-42 margin, voters said they would have more confidence in Bush to provide leadership if war broke out and the United States became involved.