Latest Battleground Polls Favor Obama

Swing-state numbers released today by Quinnipiac (in coordination with the WSJ and washingtonpost.com) show Obama with double-digit leads in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and nine points ahead in Colorado. WP's Chris Cillizza writes that the economic crisis is the key factor swaying voters toward Obama.

The surveys also indicate that Obama is significantly more trusted on economic issues than McCain. In Wisconsin, 53 percent said Obama "better understands the economy" while just 32 percent chose McCain. The numbers were not much better in Michigan (52 percent Obama/35 percent McCain), Minnesota (49/34) or Colorado (51/39).

A majority of voters in each state said McCain had not shown "effective leadership" in dealing with the financial meltdown. Throughout the past several weeks, McCain has condemned financial executives on Wall Street, offered a few proposed remedies for the crisis, and briefly suspended his campaign to return to Washington to take part in White House talks over a $700 billion rescue plan.

Battleground states not specific enough for you? Then try these Politico/Insider Advantage numbers from four bellwether counties that Bush carried in 2004:

In Washoe County, near Reno, Nev., Obama leads McCain 46 percent to 45 percent , with 6 percent undecided. Obama posts a wider 50 percent-44 percent lead with 5 percent undecided in Raleigh, North Carolina's Wake County, and another 6 point lead in Hillsborough County, Fla., where Tampa is located. There, he edges McCain 47 percent to 41 percent, with 11 percent undecided.

Among the four counties tested, McCain leads in only one: Jefferson County, Colo., a populous Denver suburb. McCain is ahead there by a margin of 45 percent to 43 percent, with 8 percent undecided.

Next up: battleground subdivisions?

-- Evie Stone

5:15 PM ET | 10-14-2008 | permalink

comments | | e-mail