McCain Holds Slight Advantage Over Clinton, Obama
A new poll by NPR of 1000 likely voters shows that Americans say they would prefer a Democrat to be in the White House, but prefer Sen. John McCain over Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama - by very small margins.
Republican presidential candidate and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) speaks at a campaign rally at Colonial Volunteer Fire House February 4 in Hamilton, New Jersey. McCain is leading in most polls over rival contender Mitt Romney one day before the biggest 'Super Tuesday' in American history.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
If the election were held today, 49 percent of likely voters said they would support the Democratic candidate and 44 percent would vote for the Republican nominee, according to the poll, conducted Jan. 29-31. But when asked about specific match-ups McCain is up on Clinton by three-points, 48 to 45 percent, and over Obama by a single-point 48-47 - which really means a dead heat in both cases once the margin of error is taken into account.
The story is not same for the matchups with former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney. Clinton beats Romney in another close race 49 to 45 percent, but Obama beats him by a wide margin, 53 to 41 percent.
A solid majority think the country is headed into the wrong - 68 percent. And the leading issue on people's minds is the economy and jobs, followed by the war in Iraq and then healthcare and terrorism and security tied for fourth.
8:08 AM ET | 02- 4-2008 | permalink
