NPR: Clinton Strong in PA, Obama Reclaims National Lead

Clinton Strong in PA, Obama Reclaims National Lead

Hillary Clinton continues to have a large lead in Pennsylvania, while Barack Obama appears to have opened a "statistically significant" lead nationally.

A survey by the American Research Group shows that Barack Obama has made little headway in the Keystone State, still trailing Clinton by double-digits, 51% to 39%

Some of the poll's findings: Obama leads among men 51% to 38% and Clinton leads among women 61% to 30%. Clinton leads among white voters 60% to 30% and Obama leads among African American voters 83% to 11%. Obama leads 46% to 43% among likely primary voters under 50 and Clinton leads 60% to 32% among likely primary voters 50 and older.

But the Gallup Daily Tracking poll has better news for Obama. It shows him with an eight-point lead over Clinton, 50% to 42%.

"Obama's current 8-point advantage ties his largest lead of the Gallup Poll Daily tracking program, along with a 50% to 42% showing in Feb. 28-March 1 polling. Obama clearly has weathered the Wright storm, while the dark clouds have shifted to Clinton over whether she has exaggerated her foreign policy credentials. This week she has had to defend her repeated claim that she came under sniper fire while visiting Bosnia as first lady, which news video clearly disputed.

"Many Democrats are concerned that the ongoing nomination campaign -- which has grown increasingly contentious in recent weeks -- will hurt the party in the general election. Right now, the races remain close, but Republican John McCain has an edge over both Clinton and Obama in registered voters' general election preferences. In the new Gallup Poll Daily tracking update, McCain has a statistically significant 4-point lead over Clinton (48% to 44%) and a smaller 2-point advantage over Obama (46% to 44%)."

4:05 PM ET | 03-28-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Numbers fabricated to direct public opinion, presented by media outlets who are either uncourageous, or slaves to evil men.

It seems some people are still under the misconception that the "Democratic Party" is any better than the "Republican Party" (and vice verse). Those people are naive.

Please, wake up.

Sent by Jody Sol | 4:24 PM ET | 03-28-2008

Everyone understands that stat and poll numbers need to be taken with a "grain of salt"...because based upon your survey group, terms and phrasing of the questions, etc...anyone can reach the desired outcome to serve their purpose...this is merely more "hoopla" to try and get some momentum going for the O-Camp...while I don't disagree that this data can have an application, I know how easily the aggregate data can be skewed...how naive do you really think we are?

Sent by ard | 4:33 PM ET | 03-28-2008

The choice is clear.

A highly experienced, ethical man from the Adult Party, a radical marxist promising old things as if new or a power-lusting socialist.

The only polls that matter are in November.

Sent by deek | 5:06 PM ET | 03-28-2008

deek: I didn't know McCain was a radical marxist! Geez, you learn something every day . . . .

Sent by Randy | 6:18 PM ET | 03-28-2008

oh snap.

guess Das Kapital must have been sitting around on the tables in the lobby of the Keating offices. never keep an ambitious man waiting. no telling what kinda nonsense he'll be stickng his nose in next.

Sent by tim in exile | 7:52 PM ET | 03-28-2008

Deek Maybe you can answer the question that fred refused. What in Mccain Experience or character makes you think he would make a good president. I mean to say put down the party loyalty because he is the presumptive nominee. out side of that what makes you think he would be a good president?

Sent by J.A. WILSON | 8:08 PM ET | 03-28-2008

good to know Maccy is a radical Marxist; those centrist Marxists can be such a bore

Sent by tim in exile | 8:58 PM ET | 03-28-2008

Just a few months ago, the republican nominee was dead in the water. Romney flip flopped so no go, Thompson was too bored so no go, Gulliani was a poor planner and thought the season started with Florida so no go, Huckabee was a nice person but didn't catch on so no go.
The republican nominee is basically a left over from a really sorry bunch of bananas. McCain will show his mean streak and lack of a broad,refreshing view as the months go on.
I prefer Obama but know Clinton (thats Hillary not Bill...I think) is still in this race and will win PA easily. She is not honest but she is after all a politician.

Sent by KMac | 7:52 AM ET | 03-29-2008

Im glad that Obama has at last opened this lead over Hillary,. AMERICA should be ready for change which I am very sure OBAMA WILL bring

Sent by Oluoch David Ooko | 1:32 PM ET | 03-29-2008

If only the McCain running today was the same McCain as a couple of years ago (centrist, populist, seemingly honest). However, once he threw his hat into the proverbial ring he thought best to go all fundamentalist instead, changing positions radically on many key issues. It seems that presidential elections bring the worst out in people, or maybe just show them as they really were all along.

Sent by JLC | 10:52 AM ET | 03-31-2008

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:	» List of local stations (PDF)
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
May we contact you with information about NPR programming and services? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Tom Regan

Blogger

About Us

This year's election cycle has been one of the most exciting in memory. At the NPR News Blog we'll do our best to bring you interesting, informative -- and controversial -- stories from our own reporters and bloggers, as well as the rest of the best of the Internet and blogosphere. And we hope you'll let us know what you think as well.

Want to learn more? Be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions and our discussion guidelines.