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Survey says Democrats have edge in swing states

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor April 17, 2008 01:17 PM

At last for Democrats comes a poll that offers more hope for their White House prospects.

The Gallup Poll looked at a dozen so-called purple states -- swing states crucial in November -- and reported today that both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton lead Republican John McCain 47 percent to 43 percent.

The dozen states were where the margin of victory in 2004 for President Bush or Senator John F. Kerry was 5 percentage points or less: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

The Gallup Poll interviewed about 4,000 voters in those states from April 1 to 15. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Nationwide, the poll found that the Democrats are virtually tied with McCain; Obama has a 46 percent to 44 percent edge, while Clinton has a 46 percent to 45 percent edge.

10 comments so far...
  1. That is not the case in Florida and Ohio, where Clinton beats Obama in a big way! Go Hillary! We are so ready for a President that has the experience to fight for us and not wimp out to their V P or advisors! President Hillary Clinton!

    Hillaryspeaksforme.com

    Posted by Texas Democrat April 17, 08 02:04 PM
  1. Whom did the Boston Globe endorse in the MA primary?

    Exactly. Which is why they are showing this poll. Ethically, they should reflect this in their article!

    Posted by Fred C Dobbs April 17, 08 02:49 PM
  1. another loser for Hillary

    Posted by Jim Reposa April 17, 08 03:11 PM
  1. The important thing is that a competent Democrat, either Hillary or Barack, beats McCain, who is as far out of touch with reality as GWB. Barack is brilliant and learns quickly,. Experience is much less important, and is of no use unless the person has learned from it (McCain has not)

    Posted by Bill Dalrymple April 17, 08 03:15 PM
  1. This is incredibly sad considering that the last almost eight years has been a testiment to conservative ideological failings and they're running against an old guy in marginal health that should be retired. The Democrats need to get away from personal politics and get back on message about policy. They need to control the message. If they stick to the question of "is the country going in the right direction... do you want more of the same? Do you think that our infrastructure like the airlines and failing bridges need more regulation" it will be a slam dunk. This shouldn't even be a serious contest!

    Posted by AbeR April 17, 08 03:20 PM
  1. Hey Texas Democrat, why don't you read the article before you comment. This has nothing to do with Barack and Hillary going head to head. But if you'd like to talk about that, why don't you compare the number of states Barack has won, to the number Hillary has one.

    Oh, and by the way, Barack is the nominee. It's mathematically impossible for Hillary to win the nomination unless there is a big, and I mean HUGE, gaffe on the Obama campaign. and that's not going to happen.

    Posted by Barack is numero uno April 17, 08 03:29 PM
  1. This is incredibly sad considering that the last almost eight years has been a testiment to conservative ideological failings and they're running against an old guy in marginal health that should be retired. The Democrats need to get away from personal politics and get back on message about policy. They need to control the message. If they stick to the question of "is the country going in the right direction... do you want more of the same? Do you think that our infrastructure like the airlines and failing bridges need more regulation" it will be a slam dunk. This shouldn't even be a serious contest!

    Posted by AbeR April 17, 08 03:38 PM
  1. With recent polls showing more than half the electorate questioning her honesty, and her overall disapproval at close to 50%, I have a hard time believing that Hillary can win any of these states.

    Personally I would certainly not vote for McCain and four more years of Bush policies, but I don't want to see eight more years of Clintons in the White House. The Clintons are not liberals and I see no evidence to support the idea that Hillary would be better than Bill.

    We have a chance this year to elect a great President: Barack Obama.

    Posted by Michael April 17, 08 04:00 PM
  1. After watching the debate last night between Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama, I
    absolutely agree with the endorsement by the independent students from the
    University of Pennsyilvania favoring Hillary. Things are going brighter now that
    should help the Dems superdelegates pick the best Democratic Presidential
    nominee this coming August convention. Make no mistake superdelegates,
    if the Democratic Party's main goal is to have a Democratic US President next
    year...Senator Hillary R. Clinton is the right nominee.Go Hillary!!!

    Posted by Fred April 17, 08 04:51 PM
  1. GO Hillary!!!!

    Posted by Kevin April 18, 08 12:13 AM
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About political intelligence Field reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors covering the 2008 presidential campaign and the national maneuvering of Bay State politicians.

Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com

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