Polls lay out McCain's challenge

A pair of new polls demonstrates the challenge facing John McCain to keep the White House in Republican hands.

An Associated Press-Ipsos survey released this afternoon showed that more people say they are Democrats than said so before the presidential contests began, while the number of Republicans has remained flat. The poll showed 52 percent call themselves Democrats, up from 45 percent in an AP-Ipsos survey in mid-December. Thirty-five percent say they are Republicans, about the same as December's 37 percent.

The poll also showed that the number of independents and moderates satisfied with President Bush and the country's direction has dipped to record or near-record lows. McCain did well among independents in the GOP primaries, and is counting on their support in November.

Yesterday, an ABC News/Washington Post poll showed McCain trailing both potential Democratic nominees. Barack Obama led the Arizona senator 52 percent to 40 percent, and Clinton led him 50 percent to 44 percent in hypothetical matchups.