By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Barack Obama is riding a strong wave of steady support. Tuesday's Gallup Poll shows a 51-42 percent lead over John McCain.

It's the 11th straight day at or above the 50 percent mark for Obama.

On Monday, Obama led 51-41 percent.

Now, McCain is running out of time to narrow the national gap -- and to carve into Obama's lead in swing states such as Missouri.

Obama and McCain will debate Wednesday night, with the GOP candidate needing some kind of huge victory at the event to claim momentum in the race.

It's clear that the attack mode being used by McCain and Sarah Palin hasn't worked at all to dent Obama's lead.

In fact, McCain and Palin continue to get lots of negative reaction for spending so much time trying to tear down Obama rather than talking about their own, specific plans to improve the country.

For now, Obama has that cool and capable feeling to a majority of Americans.