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Master prognosticator Nate Silver has released his first projections for the presidential election and his forecast gives a significant edge to President Obama ... for now. According to his models, which are a synthesis of most of the available state-by-state polling data, if the election were held today, Obama would walk away with 300 electoral votes to Romney's 238. Looking outward to November the gap narrows slightly, but Obama still wins easily, with 291 electoral votes to Mitt Romney's 246.

Silver's blog, FiveThirtyEight, is one of the most closely watch election predictors because it is part of The New York Times family—and it is part of that family because in 2008 it correctly predicted the winner of 49 of the 50 states. So expect these number to continue to be watched closely over the coming months.

It also provides an interesting comparison to the electoral numbers offered up by both the Romney and Obama campaigns this week. Both parties tried to soothe supporters by painting a picture of how their candidate can secure the 270 electoral votes needed take the White House. But it's doubtful either candidate's fans walked away satisfied.