The results of a new Lifetime Networks ‘Every Woman Counts’ poll indicate that Republican McCain has bettered his earlier standing among women after the addition of Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, to the party’s vice presidential ticket.

Reports show that Barack Obama’s July lead of 11 points over McCain, among likely women voters, has been affected – in fact, McCain’s Palin ‘pick’ has strengthened his support among women, with 45% of women now saying they will support the Republican ticket and 47% pledging to support the Democratic ticket.

Hence, in the decisive women’s vote, Sarah Palin’s entry has helped Republicans reach a virtual tie nationally with the Democrats, who have traditionally been benefiting from a significant gender gap. Less than two months ago, McCain was trailing Obama significantly among women, but reports now indicate that ‘they are now pretty much neck and neck’.

In the words of Republican pollster, Kellyanne Conway, who, along with Democratic pollster Celinda Lake, helped in conducting the poll: “The selection of Sarah Palin as McCain’s VP placed him back in center court for women voters.”

Looking at women in the political process, the poll shows that the strong, initial surge of support for Palin has been a big boost for the Republican campaign - bringing home Republican women and strengthening GOP support among older women and married moms.

Most of the women voters, when questioned about which of the two presidential candidates – Obama and McCain - best understands women’s issues, answered in favor of McCain, giving him a jump of 34 points from the earlier poll. The two candidates are now virtually tied. Pollsters have attributed the change to the energizing factor that Ms. Palin brought to the Republican ticket.

Conway said: “This has been a very galvanizing factor for the McCain campaign in terms of their posture with women.” She added that more women will vote than men – similar to the past trends in every presidential election since 1964 – and will be a deciding factor.

In fact, she said: “Senator McCain’s fortunes can be cast as BSP – before Sarah Palin – and ASP – after Sarah Palin.”