Polling during the campaign can do more than simply track the candidates’ standing. Two relevant examples:
1) In this post at the Washington Post’s polling blog, Behind the Numbers, Jennifer Agiesta describes how the intersection of race and gender affects attitudes toward Clinton and Obama, and how this has changed over time.
2) In this report from a December poll, the Kaiser Family Foundation describes public opinion toward health care and its role in the campaign. One notable finding: while Republicans and Independents are more concerned about reducing health care costs than expanding health insurance, Democrats are more interested in expanding health insurance than in reducing costs. In addition, by a considerable margin, Democrats perceive Hillary Clinton as the candidate most emphasizing health care.