Is Obama's post-convention bounce over?

The latest tracking polls show the presidential race tightening again, although some surveys actually show Obama ahead by several points. Something's up

President Obama
(Image credit: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images)

President Obama surged in polls following the Democratic convention two weeks ago, but the nation's two longest-running tracking polls suggest the bump is gone. Gallup and Rasmussen Reports surveys suggest that, nationally, Obama and Mitt Romney are roughly back where they were before the two parties' conventions — essentially neck-and-neck. Still, there are several polls that show Obama has made gains in critical swing states and on nearly every issue. Has the president's bounce faded, or in the post-convention sprint toward election day, has he emerged as the race's solid favorite? Here, a closer look at what the numbers mean:

What do the polls say?

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