As Kathryn Lopez noted earlier, a new poll of 2,055 likely voters by Magellan Strategies shows Republican Bob Turner with a four-point lead over David Weprin in New York’s Ninth congressional district.

Crucially, in a special election where turnout represents the greatest challenge (especially for a Republican candidate than a union-supported Democrat), Turner’s support appears to be more enthusiastic: 36 percent reported that they were definitely voting for Turner, compared to only 28 percent for Weprin. Magellan Strategies has had relationships with Republican campaigns in the past, but unlike last week’s McLaughlin poll, it was neither commissioned nor funded by the Turner campaign.

The Turner campaign notes that this poll represents even more positive momentum for the Republican candidate and continues a streak of good news, including endorsements today by New York Governor George Pataki and the New York Post.

This past weekend, in an effort to reverse his slide, Weprin’s campaign enlisted President Obama’s organization apparatus, Obama for America, to canvass for votes. This move seems unlikely to help: The election so far, as I explained in an article for National Review Online yesterday, has been dominated by dissatisfaction about President Obama’s policies on Israel and the national debt. Obama’s support may even backfire and boost Turner, especially because Weprin has tried to distance himself from Obama’s Israel policy.

The candidates face off in a debate in Howard Beach, Queens, tonight, one week before the election itself on September 13.