Mixed results for Clinton in new poll

A new national poll offers good news for Democrats, and mixed returns for Hillary Clinton, fighting against the odds for the nomination.

In the Quinnipiac University survey released this morning, both Clinton and Barack Obama lead presumptive Republican nominee John McCain nationally. Clinton leads 46 percent to 41 percent, with strong support from women and blacks. Obama leads 48 percent to 37 percent with strong backing from independents and blacks.

But while Clinton is trying to argue that she holds greater appeal to blue-collar voters essential to a Democratic victory in November, she and Obama face similar deficits among non-college-educated whites in the poll -- McCain leads 48 percent to 41 percent over Clinton, and 46 percent to 39 percent over Obama.

And Clinton continues to have the lowest favorability rating. While 47 percent of voters have a favorable view of her, 44 percent have an unfavorable view. Obama's spread is 49 percent favorable to 43 percent unfavorable, and McCain's is 45 percent favorable to 31 percent unfavorable.

Among Democrats, 45 percent said they want Obama to be the nominee and 41 percent said they prefer Clinton. Also, 63 percent said Clinton should keep running, and 60 percent said Obama should pick her as his running mate if he is the nominee.

"Sen. Hillary Clinton's never-say-die campaign still has lots of fans," Maurice Carroll, director of Quinnipiac's polling center, said in a statement. "Party leaders may be cringing over the potential damage to Democratic chances in November from the endless primary campaign, but two-thirds of the rank-and-file think Clinton ought to keep battling."

The survey was conducted Thursday through Monday and has an overall margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.