WASHINGTON -- If you take stock in the polls, it appears that Sen. John McCain is fighting a losing race in Pennsylvania.

Fifty-four percent of those questioned in a CNN survey said that Sen. Barack Obama won the second presidential debate. Obama's numbers shot up in the Keystone State after the first debate.

Another recent poll conducted by WJAC-TV and SurveyUSA showed the Democratic presidential nominee ahead by 15 percent.

However, the McCain camp doesn't appear ready to pull up stakes and leave. The Republican presidential candidate abandoned his campaign in Michigan last week after Obama took a commanding lead. Obama has been gaining ground for the past few weeks because more Americans appear to trust him to handle the economy better than McCain.

Jordan Lieberman, of Campaign & Elections' Politics magazine, warns that the race could be closer than the numbers show.

"The McCain camp will tell you they're within the margin of error," Lieberman explained. "It's quite possible that the 12 points we're talking about is closer to 6 points."

Our local lawmakers agree the race will be close.

"It's a state that always comes right down the middle, so I expect a heated campaign," said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Penn.

"It'll be neck and neck," said Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pittsburgh.

"Certainly Western Pennsylvania is going to be a battleground," said Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Aliquippa.

According to Lieberman, the McCain camp needs to shore up support in Allegheny County. The WJAC/SurveyUSA poll shows Obama leading by a meager 3 points in the Pittsburgh area, but his lead in Philadelphia is considerable and gives him the lead statewide.

Lieberman says Obama hasn't clinched the race in Pennsylvania.

"Southwestern Pennsylvania is not Obama friendly. I was just there this weekend," Lieberman said. "Other than Congressman Murtha, they elect Republicans."