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Obama's lead over Clinton narrows: Reuters poll | Politics | Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama's big national lead over Hillary Clinton has all but evaporated (e.a.) in the U.S. presidential race, and both Democrats trail Republican John McCain, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

The poll showed Obama had only a statistically insignificant lead of 47 percent to 44percent over Clinton, down sharply from a 14 point edge he held over her in February when he was riding the tide of 10 straight victories.

Illinois Sen. Obama, who would be America's first black president, has been buffeted by attacks in recent weeks from New York Sen. Clinton over his fitness to serve as commander-in-chief and by a tempest over racially charged sermons given by his Chicago preacher...

McCain leads 46 percent to 40 percent in a hypothetical matchup against Obama (e.a.) in the November presidential election, according to the poll.

Clinton is also closing in on Obama in NC. Hillary Clinton has cut Barack Obama’s lead in North Carolina to one point, according to the newest survey from Public Policy Polling. Obama leads 44-43 in the state, after leading by four points in a similar poll conducted by PPP two weeks ago. Clinton has particularly made gains with female voters, with whom she now has a slight lead after trailing in the previous poll.

“Some folks in the national media have been treating North Carolina as if winning it is a given for Barack Obama,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “The reality is that the state is pretty close, and either candidate could emerge with a victory.”

Recent PPP polls in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida have shown Obama struggling in
the wake of the recent controversy surrounding his pastor. The survey also found Richard Moore gaining 17 points from a poll two weeks ago to get within a 44-34 margin of Bev Perdue.

In the Democratic race for US Senate, Kay Hagan continues to hold a double digit lead
over Jim Neal. Hagan is at 22% to Neal’s 11%, followed by Duskin Lassiter at 5% and
Marcus Williams and Howard Staley with 3%.

Labels: Election 2008, Hillary, Obama, polls