Today on the presidential campaign trail

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., greets supporters as she enters a rally in East Chicago, Ind., Friday, April 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

IN THE HEADLINES

AP-Ipsos poll finds Clinton with better chance than Obama of beating McCain ... Obama's pastor says criticism of his sermons is an attack on the black church ... Clinton focuses on Obama's opposition to suspending federal gas tax for summer driving months ... McCain criticizes Democrats' health care plans, says families should pick own care ... House Republicans see Obama as less of a threat to McCain than Clinton

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AP poll: Clinton leads McCain

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Hillary Rodham Clinton now leads John McCain by 9 points in a head-to-head presidential matchup, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll that bolsters her argument that she is more electable than Democratic rival Barack Obama.

Obama and Republican McCain are running about even.

The survey released Monday gives the New York senator and former first lady a fresh talking point as she works to raise much-needed campaign cash and persuade pivotal undecided superdelegates to side with her in the drawn-out Democratic primary fight.

Helped by independents, young people and seniors, Clinton gained ground this month in a hypothetical match with Sen. McCain, the GOP nominee-in-waiting. She now leads McCain, 50 percent to 41 percent, while Obama remains virtually tied with McCain, 46 percent to 44 percent.

Both Democrats were roughly even with McCain in the previous poll about three weeks ago.

Since then, Clinton won the Pennsylvania primary, raising questions anew about whether Obama can attract broad swaths of voters needed to triumph in such big states come the fall when the Democratic nominee will go up against McCain.

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Wright says criticism is attack on black church

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a defiant appearance before the Washington media, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright said Monday that criticism of his fiery sermons is an attack on the black church and he rejected those who have labeled him unpatriotic.

"I served six years in the military," Barack Obama's longtime pastor said. "Does that make me patriotic? How many years did (Vice President Dick) Cheney serve?"

Wright spoke at the National Press Club before reporters and a supportive audience of black church leaders beginning a two-day symposium. He said the black church tradition is not bombastic or controversial, but different and misunderstood by the "dominant culture" in the United States.

He said his Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago has a long history of liberating the oppressed by feeding the hungry, supporting recovery for the addicted and helping senior citizens in need. He said congregants have fought in the military, including in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Wright seemed to relish the chance to speak out after weeks of being derided in the press. He reveled in his retorts, high-fiving an audience member, pointing and winking at his supporters and mocking descriptions of him as Obama's spiritual mentor.

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Clinton highlights Obama's objection to gas tax holiday

GRAHAM, N.C. (AP) -- Hillary Rodham Clinton criticized Barack Obama on Monday for opposing proposals to suspend federal gas taxes this summer, a plan she and Republican John McCain have endorsed. Obama didn't take the bait. He ignored Clinton and focused on McCain.

"My opponent, Senator Obama, opposes giving consumers a break from the gas tax," Clinton said at a firehouse. "I understand the American people need some relief," she added, implying that Obama doesn't get it.

He has said motorists would not benefit significantly from suspending the gas tax.

"This is his solution to the problems of the energy crisis and your tax bills," Obama told several thousand at a noisy rally in Wilmington. "Keep in mind that the federal gas tax is about 5 percent of your gas bill. If it lasts for three months, you're going to save about $25 or $30, or a half a tank of gas."

The idea to suspend the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and 24.4 cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day was first proposed by McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee, as a way to lessen the pain at the pump for consumers this summer.

Both Democrats canvassed the state Monday, pushing supporters to go to the polls early here and in Indiana before both states hold primaries on May 6. Obama is favored in North Carolina while the two are competing closely in Indiana.

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McCain raps Democratic rivals' health care plans

MIAMI (AP) -- Republican John McCain said the Democratic presidential candidates want big-government mandated health care and that he wants families to choose their own care.

McCain held a forum Monday at Miami Children's Hospital, where he criticized Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton for seeking mandatory health care coverage, Obama for children and Clinton for everyone.

"They want government to make the decision," said McCain, who opposes mandates. "I want the family to make the decision as to what kind of health care they want for their children."

McCain plans to propose detailed health care policies in a speech Tuesday in Tampa.

Meanwhile, Secret Service protection for the GOP nominee-in-waiting began this week. Earlier this month, the head of the Secret Service took the unusual step of discussing McCain's lack of government security at a House committee meeting.

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House Republicans say Clinton more of a threat to McCain

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republicans would rather the Democrats nominate Barack Obama for president because they believe Hillary Rodham Clinton would be more of a threat to John McCain among moderate voters, said Rep. Tom Cole, the GOP's campaign chief.

The Oklahoma Republican said either Democrat is more polarizing than McCain, but it's Obama's inexperience and ideological background that would help Republicans most.

"I think he is the weaker (Democratic) candidate," Cole told reporters Monday.

As chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Cole is charged with raising money and setting strategy for GOP House candidates in a year in which every member of that chamber, a third of the Senate and the presidency will be on the ballot.

Cole said McCain has a record so bipartisan on issues like campaign finance reform that conservatives sometimes find him hard to support. But McCain's centrist streak appeals to the ideological center, where Cole believes the congressional and presidential elections could be decided.

Obama "is by any definition very liberal, to the left of Hillary Clinton, in a center-right country," Cole said. "That is very, very helpful to us."

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DAILY TRACK

Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton are statistically tied nationally in the Democratic presidential race, according to the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update.

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THE DELEGATE BREAKDOWN

Barack Obama: 1,726.5

Hillary Rodham Clinton: 1,593.5

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THE DEMOCRATS

Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama meet with voters in North Carolina.

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THE REPUBLICANS

John McCain campaigns in Florida.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"That is not only a hypothetical question, it's a ridiculous question." -- Justice Antonin Scalia, asked in an interview Monday on National Public Radio whether he would accept an offer to be Republican John McCain's running mate.

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STAT OF THE DAY:

Turnout in the 1984 Democratic presidential primary in North Carolina almost hit 961,000. Walter Mondale won with 36 percent, compared with Gary Hart's 30 percent and Jesse Jackson's 25 percent.

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Compiled by Ann Sanner.