The economy, national security and debate performances help Conservatives pull well ahead of rivals as Canada's election day nears

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's ruling Conservatives, buoyed by polls showing they are starting to break away in the run-up to the Oct. 19 election, predict they will do even better than forecast given their past ability to beat polls that underestimate voter support.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives, seeking a rare fourth consecutive term, had 34 percent support in an Angus Reid poll released on Thursday, compared with 27 percent support for the rival Liberals and New Democrats...