NPR: Obama Has Small Lead Over Clinton in Indiana

Obama Has Small Lead Over Clinton in Indiana

The Democratic Indiana primary looks like it's going to be closer than anything of the races we've seen so far.

A new poll by the Indianapolis Star-WTHR shows that Sen. Barack Obama has a three-point lead over Sen. Hillary Clinton -- 41% to 38% -- with a week and a half to go before the May 6th primary. But with a margin of error of 4%, it's basically a dead heat.

But here's the real news -- 21% of those poll said they are still undecided. That's enormous block of people who have yet to make up their minds. You can bet that Indiana residents will get tired of seeing political ads on TV in the next 10 days

There is good news for Obama in the poll that may hint that the undecideds could break his way. In a match up with Republican Sen. John McCain, Obama beats him 49% to 41%. But Clinton and McCain are in a tie 46%-46%. And, by 49 percent to 35 percent, Democratic primary voters said Obama is the candidate best able to win in the general election.

The poll found that voters age 18 to 35 favor Obama over Clinton 48 percent to 34 percent, while the oldest voters, age 55 and older, prefer Clinton 43 percent to 32 percent.Obama is winning urban and suburban voters, 47 percent to 33 percent, while Clinton wins the rural areas by more than 2-to-1: 55 percent to 20 percent. Clinton is doing well among white women, who back her 48 percent to 29 percent. Among all women, though, Obama is slightly edging her out 41 percent to 40 percent.

So why isn't McCain doing better in what has been a state that has long been in the GOP safe column. The answer may hint at problems that have plagued McCain since his campaign for the White House began?

Pollster J. Ann Selzer says many Hoosiers are not happy with the Bush administration's track record. And she said McCain's lack of strength also may reflect that he "doesn't have a consistent track record on the issues conservatives care most about" and may not be a good fit for conservative Republicans in Indiana.
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UPDATE: The South-Bend Tribune's new poll shows Obama with a one-point lead 48% to 47% (5% margin of error. But the poll continues to show that Clinton's negatives are much higher than Obama's. More than twice as many people -- 48% to 235 -- think Clinton is running the more negative campaign.

9:00 AM ET | 04-25-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

If I were Barack, I'd run a factual ad that exemplified leadership. He could make a direct pitch to the people and say that he wants to bring the party together and focus on what needs to be done this fall. Then he could cite these national poll results. He'd be showing some leadership initiative, and the poll numbers would make the case for him without him having to say anything critical of Hillary or her negative tactics. Let Hillary respond to that. I doubt she'd have any real answer other than more negative attacks. She'd doom herself.

Sent by Sweetie | 11:20 AM ET | 04-25-2008

How can Obama...someone who is not moderate or centered pretend to be a unifier...not to mention, all of the controversy surrounding him that "he" and Michelle directly created...unfortunately, Obama is too far left and liberal to be able to bring the masses together(look at present situation)...America needs someone that is more grounded and centered (moderate) if unifying is ever to take place...Obama needs time to "grow" from his mistakes and that shouldn't be in the Oval Office...America will simply have too many "major challenges" to deal with in 2009 to allow him that opportunity.

Sent by ard | 6:37 PM ET | 04-25-2008

Now give us another blog that reads "Obama has humongous lead over Clinton in NC". [Or are you guys also steeped in moonshine?]

I note that Hillary is silent on the racist ad tussle in NC. We suggest that if she thought that it impacted on her interests, she would loudly condemn it. Do her interest include a "more perfect union" in USA?

Racism / Hillary '08, WRONG for America

Sent by chokora | 6:38 PM ET | 04-25-2008

A shot at being president is a once in a lifetime opportunity for anyone. Incresingly I'm getting the sense that Obama is a once in lifetime opportunity for America. A unifier needn't be a lukewarm average of all the sentiments out there. That's the only type of inefffectual moderation Hillary knows to bring to the White House. Pause, reflect then help our beloved Union and be part of the solution.

Sent by Eric | 2:46 AM ET | 04-26-2008

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