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

Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:35pm EDT
By Steve Holland

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

The poll showed Obama had only a statistically insignificant lead of 47 percent to 44 percent 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.

The poll showed Arizona Sen. McCain, who has clinched the Republican presidential nomination, is benefiting from the lengthy campaign battle between Obama and Clinton, who are now battling to win Pennsylvania on April 22.

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

That is a sharp turnaround from the Reuters/Zogby poll from last month, which showed in a head-to-head matchup that Obama would beat McCain 47 percent to 40 percent.

"The last couple of weeks have taken a toll on Obama and in a general election match-up, on both Democrats," said pollster John Zogby.

Matched up against Clinton, McCain leads 48 percent to 40 percent, narrower than his 50 to 38 percent advantage over her in February.


http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USN1824791220080319

Seriously ... How did the dems screw this up?  They have this election in the bag all they had to do is pick a condidate...

I wonder if Obama is still going to quote this poll in his speeches like he has been claiming he can beat McCain and hillary cant?

And the dems seem pretty good at screwing this shit up.  Look at the last election.  All they needed was a decent canidate, and the could have won.  I mean against the worst pres ever?  COme on, my mother bridge club could have cleaned up against him.  But no, the dems are gonna run on 'anybody but Bush!' and similar crap, and hand the moron another four.  Sheesh.  I really do blame dems for his last four....

The problem lies, IMHO, with the dirty tactics used by the Clintons. Obama has tried to run a clean and forward looking campaign, but he has had to answer dirty and viscious smears. If the Democrats lose, they can blame the Clintons.

OswaldTheOsprey

Excellent analogy.

OswaldTheOsprey

A great deal of it has been innuendo rather than out and out lies. "He is not a muslim as far as I know" is a good example. Bill Clinton's "Fairy tale" comments are another.

OswaldTheOsprey

Always glad to oblige!

OswaldTheOsprey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLDx4NZr2u4

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/03/hillary-obama-not-muslim_n_89546.html

Up is down and black is white in your world.

OswaldTheOsprey

Damn Biker.... I usually find your reasoning to be logical but this time I have to say you are wrong.

How can you blame Bush's reelection on the Dems?

Was it the Democrat's fault that Bush and his Administration was successful in covering up numerous scandals and delaying the release of reports that were damaging to Bush until after the election?

Was it the Democrat's fault that the MSM gave a free pass to the Swift boat vets to push their BS without having almost any of them point out the military's records didn't back them up?

Was it the Democrat's fault that Ohio republicans were able to disenfranchise tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of mostly Democrat voters?

Was it the Democrat's fault that conservatives and independents were suckered into voting for Bush for a second term?

I don't think so!!