NPR: Pew Poll Shows Obama, Clinton Both Beating McCain

Pew Poll Shows Obama, Clinton Both Beating McCain

Sen. Barack Obama is losing support among white-working class Democrats at an alarming speed. But his popularity with independents helps him make up lost ground. In a national poll of Democrats by the Pew Research Center, reported on All Things Considered, Obama leads Clinton 47% to 45% (although a month ago it was 49% to 39% for Obama).

But unlike other recent polls, the Pew poll shows both Obama and Clinton beating McCain - Obama 50% to McCain 44% and Clinton 49% to McCain's 45%.

The president of the Pew Research Center, Andrew Kohut, told NPR's Robert Siegel that the Illinois senator's "slippage [is] powered by an even greater role of both race and class in the patterns of the answers."

"For instance, Clinton's lead among white Democrats who did not attend college rose from 10 points in March to 40 points in the current survey, which was based on phone interviews of 651 people from April 23-27. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percentage points."

But Clinton has her problems too. She has made gains but the poll doesn't show that her image has improved in the eyes of voters. "In fact, in some respects, her image is worse than it was when she was 10 points behind," Kohut says.

The advantage that Clinton has among white working class voters is matched by Obama's popularity among African-Americans, college-educated workers and independents. Among black voters, Kohut says, Clinton's number resemble the kind of support -- or lack thereof -- that Republicans get from that community these days.

8:26 PM ET | 05- 1-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

The media's saturation of Al Gore's 'internet invention'; of Howard Dean's 'primal scream'; of John Kerry's 'flip-flop', and now Jeremiah Wright. George Bush, of course, never had the same scrutiny, and neither will John McCain... Plus,52% of the American voting public are too gullible...or just plain dim. Who really 'chooses' the President?

Sent by Barbara Zeller | 9:25 PM ET | 05-01-2008

Keep insulting America Babs. See how many elections that gets ya. You might want to find something to cling to.

Sent by deek | 9:40 PM ET | 05-01-2008

We all say that politics stinks. We all say that our elected officials can't be trusted. We all say that only a twisted and immoral soul could ever win OUR presidency. We all complain. Now we have a candidate who CAN change this twisted scenario and what are we doing? We're putting him down for not being able to out smut his opponent! Are we ready for an honest and trustworthy President? We'll see. There's only one at the moment who offers any HOPE and at all, and middle America is about ready to cream him over trivia! Should Obama be as much of a bulldog as Hillary Clinton? Is this the primary quality that it takes to trust a President? Is strength measured by ones ability to out smut ones candidate? If so, we're in for more of the same. Are we ready for CHANGE? We'll see. If not, the blame will be on us as the voters.

My hope is that the Super Delegates will be evolved enough to stand behind Barack Obama. He's no Jesus Christ, but he is one of the first politicians to agree to take on this campaign while refusing to play dirty tricks politics. If he were, Whitewater and Foster would be center stage. Don't think for one moment that the Republicans will be as gracious. VOTE FOR OBOMA.

Sent by chris | 10:37 PM ET | 05-01-2008

What's interesting is not so much that Obamas' poll numbers have dropped a few points, but that Clintons' numbers have not increased significantly and he continues to draw more superdelegates; including one who defected from Clintons' camp.

Sent by steve fielder | 11:16 PM ET | 05-01-2008

I don't hold much stock in polls. At the end of the day, the voters will have their say.

However, I do question the media and it's manipulation of these polls. For instance, the "elitist" issue is one of the silliest notions ever drummed up by the mainstream media during an election campaign. Of all the candidates Obama is the least "elitist" of all. Yet the Hillary and Republicans are using it against him. Poppycock. It's the silly season, and I can't wait for it to end.

Sent by Melissa | 12:47 AM ET | 05-02-2008

she is insulting a minority of americans (52% of voters -- probably under 30% of americans most cycles) and not America (though i know that makes it more convenient to link it up to flag pins and michelle's new-found pride by pretending otherwise).

Sent by tim in exile | 1:58 AM ET | 05-02-2008

Couldn't that 52% be representative of the whole. Nevermind, just more angels dancing on heads of pins arguments.

Sent by deek | 12:15 PM ET | 05-02-2008

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