National poll shows Obama leading McCain

As Barack Obama closes in on the Democratic nomination, his prospects for November are looking up, a new poll indicates.

Obama, who was tied with presumptive Republican nominee John McCain last month in the same survey, now leads 48 percent to 40 percent, according to the Reuters/Zogby poll released today.

Obama builds his lead among independents -- 47 percent to 35 percent -- and also has an edge in who voters say would be better for the economy.

Despite losing four of the last six primaries over the last month to Hillary Clinton, Obama also leads McCain among some groups he has been losing to Clinton: Catholics, Jews, union households, and voters making less than $35,000 a year.

"Clearly voters are looking for change. Every problem Obama has had in consolidating his base and reaching to the center, John McCain has the same sort of problem," pollster John Zogby told Reuters.

"It's McCain's lead among voters over the age of 65 that is keeping him within shouting distance of Obama," he said.

The poll was conducted Thursday through Sunday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.