Clinton lead narrows in Pennsylvania

The polls suggest that Clinton had a huge headstart in name recognition and "favorables" with Pennsylvania voters. It also suggests that as Barack Obama shows up and connects personally with crowds and individuals, his natural charisma, wit, and poise take over and begin to shift voter preferences. Obama is extremely "real" and convincing in person and the way he transcends the race barrier becomes self-evident to those in attendance--and almost magical.

Well said, John.

On one hand, I would like to see Hillary exit now for the sake of getting to McCain earlier. But then, the longer she stays in the better Obama looks.

The party is giving Hillary enough rope to hang herself. The more Bosnia Betty speaks, the more votes Obama gets. ;)

I'm confused. Mixed results yet still showing her leading...Oh I remember now...I've chalked up this reporter in Obama column. Obama loves free press. Woohoo.

I have to ask how many people would even vote for Hillary if "Bill" weren't part of the package. It's nice that he's out there campaigning on her behalf, but after all of his well-documented philandering during their marriage, it's stunning to me that she continues to portray herself as a "strong" and "independent" woman. It doesn't add up. Seems to me more like a relationship of political opportunism. Go Obama!

This is a disgrace. With this kind of media bias even bin laden would have secured the nomination by now. This guy obama is extemely week and sad. This sorry loser needs to get out of the race.

Obama is not "real." He is simply a make-shift politician with empty rhetoric and a past that involves corrupt campaign contributors, a racist spiritual mentor, and a paper thin resume. The media has given Barack Hussein Obama a free ride in the primaries, but that would end in the general election where obama's lies and inexperience would be exposed.

Hillary is the Democrats' only hope of defeating McCain in November.

After reading this Post, I'm at a loss as to what is being said here concerning this Quinnipiac University Poll? There a few obsucre unrelated "facts" concerning a selective demographic and geographic thrown together in attempt to be revevant to the head line. So I go to Google to learn about "Quinnipiac University Poll" (nice name for a poll) I guess. Here I find a previous poll, "Giuliani still leads GOP hopefulles". That explains everything! The only thing I remember about Giuuliani is that when he did finally enter a primary (Florida), he got beat and dropped out. The only poll he could have been leading in, was the poll of personal speculation on the part of the "pollster". I will be paying more attention to polls in the future, if I read them at all.

whatever

John, I agree with your comments. I like Clinton but Obama showed more and as Richardson said ''It is time so see another name other than Bush and Clinton in the Whitehouse.

okay comment number one so we are supposed to vote on natural charisma, wit and poise.....sounds like voting for Mr. America. I pray and hope Clinton wins I am really concerned about the economy and I don't think Obama can do it. I am also concerned Obamas assoiation with two ministers that espouse hate yet Obama is supposed to transcend difference. Reverend Meek has made anti-gay and race remarks. Obama is just a smooth talker and nothing more.

Watch that lead shrink. Senator Clinton will be lucky if she pulls out a victory of any kind in Pennsylvania. I base this assessment on results from my home state, Maine, where Senator Clinton was presumed to be a shoo in, until the caucusses, and before Senator Obama paid a visit. He won those caucusses by some 20% points..

Count the articles (any and all news mediums) where Clinton slanders Obama. Then count the articles where Obama slanders anybody. Makes you wonder which person would be a better leader. One who has to stand on others shortcomings and even fabricate shortcomings, or one who can stand on their own?

The thing is, Clinton is not electable nationally.

Hardcore democrats like her, but most Americans these days do not identify as democrats. McCain will take all of the independent vote if it's between him and Hillary. All of it. She's very polarizing. If it comes down to Obama or McCain, I'll vote for Obama. If it's Clinton or McCain, the McCain will get my reluctant vote. I can't be party to putting Hillary in office. She's just plain dishonest.

I like Clinton and Obama. I agree with both on policy. I think both would be good for this country. However, I would rather see Obama in the White House. I saw Obama in 2006 campaigning for Bob Menendez in New Jersey, and watched his "More Perfect Union" speech. He doesn't obfuscate. He tells it like it

Thank god Ron Paul is still running. With choices like these on the Democrats side, and a warmonger Republican (McCinsane) spearheading the effort to start another war with Iran, Im glad I have a true conservative to vote for. GO RON PAUL!

alternatively you could say that voters prefer Clinton over Obama and that there is a form of media burnout reducing preference amongst all candidates.

The longer the electorate is exposed to Obama, the more positive the reaction. The opposite seems true for Clinton. No reason to think this would change when one or the other becomes the nominee. So...maybe the 'match-up' polls tend to understate his electability while overstating hers.

please remove your nose from his butt.

i like the guy too, but come on....

"his natural charisma, wit, and poise take over and begin to shift voter preferences. Obama is extremely "real" and convincing in person and the way he transcends the race barrier becomes self-evident to those in attendance--and almost magical."

sounds like you work for him just a little bit.

I believe that polls which describe head-to-head matchups in the fall presidential elections are meaningless. The presidential campaign has not even started. McCain, in my opinion, with over two-thirds of Americans feeling the country is on the wrong track and with Bush's approval at historical lows is extremely vulnerable to being linked with GWB, a theme the Dems will relentlessly push in the fall.

Although America has lost some of its shine, our president is still a world leader.
A thoughtful, articulate president would not only be refreshing for a change but essential to our position on the world stage. Barack Obama has arrived at the right time with the credibility and intellect for the job.

Hillary Clinton stays in the presidential race because she wants to collect donations to repay her debts and get her 5 millions dollars back she loaned in January. That's why she wants to keep going....

OBAMA is a statesman and Hillary is a low down. She has turned me off completey and I am no longer considering her. Considering how far Obama has come and he was not even a know quantity i.e. Clintonian regime, we should ask ourselves who is the real leader. Hillary is like the child in the playground. First she new Florida and Michigan would not count now it is I want them back. That is the president some people are hoping for.

These long term polls mean nothing. The Penn poll shows that when people meet and see the real Obama, not the isolated excerpts played over and over on youtube, he wins.

Barack Obama is simply more honest with the electorate and comes across as what he is which is smart, caring and with good judgment. He won TEXAS though it is not as widely reported as I would like. He also won California on election date and Hillary won the overall primary due to the huge amount of early voting when folks did not know Barack. So much for her all the big states comments. In summation with the time he has to introduce himself to Pennsylvania he will do fine. I fully expect the reality distortion machine to come out of Hillary's camp regardless of the outcome and then it will all be about whatever she determines gives her the opportunity to steal the deal. As an Iraq war veteran I am more than ready for change and have nightmares about Senator McWar winning and putting more stop losses on my former comrades and God forbid taking us into Iran for no good reason.

This is great news but I don't expect him to make much more headway into her voter base. They are pretty well-entrenched and getting more frustrated by the day. Not fertile grounds for really listening to a new point of view, however honest and refreshing.

My gut is Clinton will win by 10-12%
- Anything less than 10 is a feather in Obama's cap.
- Anything more than 12 is bragging rights for Clinton.

In the end though, most likely no more than 20 delegates will be made up by Clinton, leaving her behind by about 110 delegates heading into Obama-favored North Carolina and Indiana.

Remember Jimmy Carter and how wonderful he was afer Nixon ---- a nice person - but not really up to it. I go with the one we know all about and unfortunately we all can't be up close and personal --- I know everything I ever wanted to know about Hillary long ago and there is nothing new about her we haven't had driven down our throats --- Barack - is relatively unknown --- I say go with the one you know all about and still trust --- This isn't a movie role --- this is real life - let's nominate the right person.

The polls suggest that Clinton had a huge headstart in name recognition and "favorables" with Pennsylvania voters. It also suggests that as Barack Obama shows up and connects personally with crowds and individuals, his natural charisma, wit, and poise take over and begin to shift voter preferences. Obama is extremely "real" and convincing in person and the way he transcends the race barrier becomes self-evident to those in attendance--and almost magical.
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No, Barack is just good at conning people into voting for him. He is not what he appears and is phoney! People are smitten with his looks and the way he smooth talks them. He doesn't even bowl. I do not need a president that I can bowl with.

Hillary claims to fame, are her 35 years of experience and that of Free Trade for example but if the truth is known she does not know beans about Free Trade; her husband was pulling all the strings while he was in office. She would like to take credit for all his good deeds, but fails to realize with that comes all the baggage that goes with it. Need I say more?

Too many people take poll numbers as gospel in their attempt to make sense of all the dynamics that push voters to one candidate or the other. Depending on who is taking the poll and for what reasons they can make the outcome in their favor. People should take polls with a grain of salt and not base any decisions on the poll outcome. I will say that I like the idea of Obama pushing for a Green economy. The problem I see is that the federal government has not done enough to help lower the price on green technology that the individual can afford. Wind power is a good example. Currently in the State of Texas there are few incentives to purchase household wind generators and the small rebate from taxes does not help offset the high cost (about 30k). Maybe Texas and the federal government should follow in the footsteps of California and help the average citizen offset the high cost. Oil is not an infinite commodity and if the American people and the world do not come to grasp this concept very soon it will not make a difference what the poll numbers are.

It's all just blah blah blah - no one knows who will win except the super delegates- that's all folks!

John, I agree with your comments. I like Clinton but Obama showed more and as Richardson said ''It is time so see another name other than Bush and Clinton in the Whitehouse.
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Rich,

If it wasn't for the Clintons, Richardson would not be where he is today. Obama promised him the VP spot that is way he is supporting him. He is a hypocrit!

All his great qualities might make him a superb candidate for a future election, but not this year. He's too inexperienced, and he's not going to win over enough people before Nov. to win the main election, which is the Big Picture. Hillary can defeat McCain, Obama can't. Plus, Obama has several issues that nobody is talking about yet, including the Republicans. They'd prefer McCain to run against him, because he'll be far easier to beat. They're not mentioning his lack of credentials, foreign experience, and especially his cocaine use, until he gets the nom, then they won't stop harping about it, which is what they're counting on. Plus, who knows what else might come out about him by Nov? He hasn't been 'vetted' as much as Hillary has. So, maybe a good choice for a future election, but not now.

why arent these canadates addressing our diminishing natural enviroment and submitting plans on how to save it??? its the enviroment, stupids......earth first.............all ways......

If Obama and Clinton come across "in person" anywhere near like they come across on the tube, it's hard to understand how Hillary stays competitive at all. I read somewhere that she approaches Richard Nixon in terms of "like-ability". Granted she is sharp, tough, and knows how the "system" works. But so is Obama. The question is really, can she lead, can she inspire? And can she overcome the typically polarizing tactics that the Republican Pary will level against any Democratic nominee in 2008?

Interesting, how Hillary is out campaigning today, to give the corporations another 7 billion in tax cuts to keep them from moving overseas. Wasn't it her platform to say that corporate America and the big money makers should not get any tax cuts, so she can pay for all these new programs she wants to adopt?

And to those commentators saying she would be a better nominee, really? She can't even manage her own campaign budget, which is still 3 million in the red, after she had to loan it 5 million.

Based on the comments above (and all over the web these days), it appears that articulate, thoughtful people favor Obama by a large margin, though some of Clinton's supporters certainly fall in that category. Trash-talking people with nothing substantitve to say are overwhelmingly in Clinton's corner.

Obama is not real. He's a great manipulater. He lied about not hearing any hateful remarks from his minister after nearly 20 years associating with him and sitting in his church. When caught , he admitted. So that's FINE with the media and his supporters. He lied about not getting any help from Rezco in purchasing his mansion but It's totally OK with the MEDIA. Why does this man get a free ride? I'm puzzled. I hope people see Mrs. Clinton's devotion and her desire to serve the country she loves. It's hard to watch her being attacked by lefts and rights. Voters should think hard before they choose someone who would be their leader.

First of all to the writer who feels Obama is week...better learn to spell...talk about weak!!! Also, empty rhetoric? let's talk about the supposed 'run for cover' that Hillary distinctly remembered. The last senator we elected to the presidency has a pretty short resume, in fact, about the same experience as Obama. That was JFK... Most of my adult life a Clinton or a Bush has been in the White House, and I am ready for politics and politicians who aren't representative of the status quo.

I feel Obama is right for the presidency, we need a change, in all that is going on in this world, it is almost impossible or to live, with everything so expensive and your pay check does not match all the expenses with the rise of the economy.

lol, Hillary is just staying in so she can raise money to pay her debts. I think see just can't see the forest from the trees myself. Being self-absorbed can lead to delusions. I find the suggestion hilarious though. Above comment that Obama does better with time and exposure and Hillary does worse is on point and encouraging for the future.

PS Why did the media blow off Hillary getting caught lying? Ask yourself how they would have treated Obama if he lied about being shot at to promote his image as an experienced leader. Hillary has no real experience. When Obama called her on it all she could do was lie, and no one is asking now what her real experience is. The media's knee jerk reaction to Rev. Wright reenforces stereotypes that the media is controlled by zionist. As soon as Wright called Israel out as a racist and oppressive regime, he was cast as a racist without any discussion of the underlying issue.

You all are blowing smoke out your butts. If the media hadn't developed such a man crush on Obama and the rest of you were not members of the ABH club, you would see that the better qualified person is Mrs. Clinton. But y'all must really want four more years of the same old same old republican nasty ass crap. So when McCain wins, you have noone to blame but yourself.

HIlliary is just straight up - a liar. So many leaders who've been killed by REAL sniper fire, bombs & other assasinations as well as those leaders who've gone through attempted assisinations must really think of her as comical and desperate for saying something like that. During Bills presidency she was the FIRST LADY not the other president. Lying about NAFTA? Yeah, why not lie especially if you're so confident that you're the BEST QUALIFIED, or what ever. So if she's lying now - what do you think she'll do later??? No seriously try to answer that.
Actually for me it's not about who looks like what or what ever race they are ethnically, but it's what kind of real leadership talent they have as well as what they've done. For me Obama shows real talent in making right desisions even if the efforts he's made in the past haven't been front cover news, etc. Yes it's time for a new start... After all, everyone thought that Schwartzenegger wouldn't do well & he's now in his last term, because everyone just keeps voting for him. C'mon open your eyes. OBAMA for President of the United States

This report seem to run contrary to most other (non-boston) reports.
Obama is head except in the heads of toe-head women boston reporters.

I'm so glad to see that the numbers in Pennsylvania are trending Obama's way. He's the better of the two in regards to vision, character, and integrity, plus he has the critical analysis, listening, and planning skills to effectively do the work of the President. I had been a Hillary supporter, despite my disappointment in her as my Senator- she promised tens of thousands of new jobs here in western New York, but we've lost tens of thousands instead. But her nastiness and "misspeaks" (how in the world can anyone mistake a little girl giving flowers for sniper-fire?) have encouraged me not only to work in my neighboring Pennsylvania for an Obama win, but to actively work against her when her Senate seat comes up again. In electability, Obama still is ahead in most polls in most regards. Plus, if he follows the pattern in the nation that he has in the primaries, he'll easily beat McCain in November. Some people will continue to sling mud, but Obama will continue to build with it, and will hopefully encourage all of us to work together to restore America.

I find this whole GOP thing hilariously amusing. Do we really want another 4 years of BushClinton-ism, because if "Billary" should win the GOP and beat McCain in November that's exactly what we're left with ! She manipulates her position on issues, makes mundane statements then retracts them with "oh I'm sorry" or I didn't mean to say that; well Mrs. Clinton, egage your brain before your mouth, then you might get it straight. Yes, political campaigning is a dirty cut throat ordeal, Bill actaully was quited on the very same thing, but if you want to play dirty do it;
don"t vascilate between dirty and submission.
WE NEED CHANGE, YOU KNOW , I KNOW IT AND THE ENTIRE VOTING POPULATION KNOWS IT, unless you're an OSTRICH or a BIGOT....................!

I love watching the Democrat party show their true colors. Keep slinging the mud!

I'm confused about Hilary's "experience." I keep hearing the word, but have not come across any concrete examples of her having any foreign policy experience. She took a lot of trips when Bill was in the white house.

Dee, do you have some inside information about Senator Obama offering Bill Richardson the VP spot? If you do, I would like to hear your source. Otherwise it’s just your opinion. Don’t present your opinion as fact unless you have something solid to back it up!

When two candidates have basic agreement on issues, the one who's behind usually thinks the only way he/she can gain is by tearing the other guy down.

But if Hillary were as good a campaigner as Barack she'd realize that going negative against him has only raised her own negatives!!

The only way she has any chance (which is slim to none no matter what she does) is to raise her own positives!! How? Be honest, real, magnanimous, available, genuine. But unfortunately for her, this describes him, not her.

McCain only has his past history (which is debatable--I mean, he got shot down and captured, how great is that? And, what did he tell the enemy?)-- to rely on. He's an old man who just has Bushies war to get him off.

Look at the last few presidents, Regan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II. Charisma counts. How else can you explain people voting for the former cocaine addict twice (Bush II)? Obama is a breath of fresh air. He's extremely intelligent and isn't divisive. That's what I want and it is the polar opposite of Bush II. Hillary is too polarizing of a figure and I don't trust her.

The only purpose of polls is to bolster the egos of the people directing any candidate's dialogue. When your candidate is leading a poll, that poll is meaningful. If your candidate is behind then it suddenly becomes inconsequential.Polls are good for one thing - the pollsters line their pocket with the campaign funds donated by the ordinary taxpayer.

As one who is the product of the Depression ('33-'38) and reared and voted as a Democrat for forty years I must admit that, at least in my opinion, the Democratic Party's candidates this for the presidency are both far short on experience of any substative nature.

Obama is an excellent communicator but he is a "liberal's liberal" - anyone who vetts his history will see that he is a typical true tax and spend politician. He will not change if he becomes the next president.

Hillary is running on Bill's record because she was a partner in the White House. That is nonsense. Unfortunately both of the Clintons resort to the lowest common denominator to attain personal goals. Hillary is also a tax and spend liberal.

I'm just afraid that their derisive campaigns aimed at each other are going to force the electorate, the Independents, the conservative Democrats and most every voter not a true liberal to vote for the Republican. Should that occur the Dems have only themselves to blame because thus far they have devoted the greatest share of their campaign time railing against one another instead of deal with issues of substance.

As they say, "Be careful of what you wish for, you just may get it." We certainly do not need a repeat of the last four years of partisan politics where nothing good gets accomplished for the country simply due to the fact that opposing party does not like a president.

I love statistics. If a poll with a +/-2.5% error shows a reduction in Clinton's lead of 3% then there has been no conclusive change. Statistics 101 should be mandatory for all journalists.

I like Clinton and Obama. I agree with both on policy. I think both would be good for this country. However, I would rather see Obama in the White House. I saw Obama in 2006 campaigning for Bob Menendez in New Jersey, and watched his "More Perfect Union" speech. He doesn't obfuscate. He tells it like it

I celebrate the majority of the above comments. I am loving the fact that America is flooded with so many reasonable citizens who can look beyond hew.

Brian, I think you are wrong. If you listen to the right wing radio shows (rush, beck,hannity) they are ALL coming to hilary's defense. They desperately want her to win. Rush even encouraged his listeners to temporarily register as democrats and vote for Hillary. Right wing radio clearly is more convinced that Obama is more of a threat. It is actually funny to hear Rush support Hillary...who wouda thunk it!

Amazing how polls can be spun by these commenters to fit their particular preferences or biases, regardless of what the pollsters' interpretations may be, or what an objective analysis of the actual poll might indicate. Those who already have "made up their minds" interpret them to suit opinions already held, as amply demonstrated in the posts. No one's conviction is weakened by the "interpretable information" in these polls. If your position is supported by your interpretation, then the poll is further validation of your self-evident position. If not, then the poll is clearly invalid, and rightly discounted. What purpose can they serve other than to propagandize the intellectually lazy, the naive, or the gullible? Well, maybe to give us one more thing to pontificate about?

Favid wrote: "Hardcore democrats like her, but most Americans these days do not identify as democrats."

This is simply not true and has been disproved; more Americans now identify themselves as Democrats than Republicans by a fairly wide margin (http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=312 , Pew Research Center). This is extremely under reported by a national press that is out of touch with political trends in the United States, cowed by years of propagandizing from the movement conservative organization, and biased by their collective own self interests in reporting on an eternal ying-yang struggle between the right and the left that is not nearly as balanced as they'd lead you to believe.

To that last point - if the national Democratic primary was viewed from a state level, Obama would have a 53% to 47% lead with 82% of precincts reporting (this includes delegates and super delegates). All major news outlets would have long since put the win in Obama's column, because for Hillary to overcome that margin, she'd need to receive a 27% margin in the last 18 percent. She's exceeded that margin only once - in Arkansas. In other words, she will win the Democratic nomination only if Obama dies or is caught soliciting prostitutes between now and the Convention in August.

Of course, the Clinton campaign continues to make every argument in favor of her electability and against Obama's, promising to fight all the way to the credentials committee in August to seat delegates from FL and MI that, in reality, won't give her enough delegates to put her over the top. What most people, including and especially pundits, fail to understand or admit, is that the Clinton campaign must make every argument possible on her electability, no matter how illogical, unreasonable, or underhanded it may seem, in order to keep the support of her donors. Once her campaign reaches the point that she cannot conceivably overcome the electoral math, she will drop out of the race and urge her supporters to support Barack Obama.

To #6 and #37 re: “Obama's pastor”. Clinton family during their years in the White House attended the Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington DC. As did many other presidents in the Church's 150 years history. On March 19, 2008, this Church posted a Statement in defense of Rev. Wright on its website www.foundryumc.org. Its senior Pastor Dean Snyder provided his moral position about the snippets fed to the public by Fox and other media in his Easter sermon. You can read the sermon on his site as well. On the same date the arch conservative former pastor Mike Huckabee also defended Rev. Wright on Morning Joe, suggesting that the “controversy” will be a non-issue for Obama in November. Google "huckabee wright" for a transcript. The Trinity United Church of Christ is integrated and conciliatory (open to all races and gay persons), and is not racist; it is “ethnic”, like Jewish synagogues, Korean Christian churches, Native American Churches, and hundreds of other churches in the United States. Its denomination is Christian and 95% white. Many other important religious figures have defended Rev. Wright and his Church since. Google " Open Letter To Senator Clinton From Diverse Group of Prominent Religious Leaders". Perhaps your own Church has done so as well – do check.

It is beyond distressing to read these ridiculous, repetitive posts from the moonbeamers, naifs, gullibles, and "tingle-up-the-leggers" being "inspired" by the empty bumper-sticker slogans and preachy oratory of Obama. If you need "inspiration" to get involved in life or politics, then your participation is too shallow and transitory to be of value, and merely devalues what IS important.

America does not need cheerleader pep-rally inspiration. America needs a hardheaded, tough-minded, arm-twisting, no-nonsense, savvy politician who can get things done through a resistant Congress. America needs a Lyndon Johnson more than a Jack Kennedy right now. JFK was VERY inspirational, but it took LBJ to muscle through the Democrat DOMESTIC agenda. And Clinton will not fall prey to the fatal war mistake that engulfed Johnson, and now Dubya.

If you want inspiration, then seek it in savvy, substance, and solutions--as
embodied in Clinton, not in "politically correct" feel-good hype peddled by a charismatic chameleon.

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON is the right president for America.

HILLARY is America's Motion In The Ocean and she will get America Back On Track and the American Economy on the move ago.

HILLARY is experience, substance, Solutions for America and she is ready to do the presidential duties on day one.

HILLARY is committed to America and a doer for All People.

HILLARY will change America and will change the World as well.

HILLARY is about the issues of America and NOT ABOUT PUTTING COLD BUMPS UP A PERSONS LEG.

AMERICA is about much more than putting cold bumps up a persons leg.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VOTE - HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON - PRESIDENT!!!

VOTE FOR AMERICA ---- NOT FOR COLD BUMPS ON A LEG.

COLD BUMPS WILL NOT PRODUCE JOBS, THE ECONOMCY, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, AND THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, ADULTS, SENIOR, AND ELDERLY.

WAKE-UP AMERICA!!!

Hillary is being outspent by as much as 5-1 by Obama in Ads in Pennsylvania. However, she will prevail despite being outspent, the bias media and the naysayers who are trying to write her political obituary. Hillary has the best solutions for reinvigorating the economy, for job creation, universal healthcare, helping students to get education and be competitive with other students worldwide. Yes, Barack will make a good president, but Hillary Clinton will be the best President. Never give up Hillary, in due time you will reap your reward--Madame President.