The latest Wall Street Journal-NBC News poll released on Tuesday, found 52 percent of likely voters favor Democratic Barack Obama, as against 42 percent favoring Republican John McCain.

The figures reveal a widening gap between the two presidential candidates – Obama’s 6-point lead two weeks ago has now reached a double-digit, 10-point lead.

The Journal-NBC poll’s most recent reports of Obama’s lead not only reveals the largest to date, it also represents a steady climb for Obama since early September, when the political conventions concluded with the candidates in a statistical tie.

As NBC’s Brian Williams said, this poll “notably” shows Senator Obama with over 50 percent for the first time.  

Democratic pollster Peter Hart, who conducted the survey with Republican pollster Neil Newhouse, said: “To me, the voters have reached a comfort level with Barack Obama. The doubts and question marks have been erased.”  

In fact, the Wall Street Journal said that the poll also found that the popularity of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin waning. Voters no longer see the Republican vice presidential nominee in a positive light; they report more of negative feelings. 55 percent of those surveyed called Palin not qualified to serve as president.

NBC reports other interesting statistics showing that Obama’s current lead is largely fueled by his strength among different groups- leading McCain 49 to 37percent among independent, 53 -41% suburban voters, 50-44% Catholics, and 49-45% white women.

However, the figures in early September, after the Republican National Convention, had McCain ahead with independents and Catholics, and Obama marginally ahead among suburban voters. With November 4 election just a few days away, the statistics are full swing in Obama’s favor!