McCain Rising
18 March 2008 7:00 pm by Taylor Marsh
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A new CBS News poll finds that while most voters who have heard at least something about controversial statements made by Barack Obama’s longtime pastor say their view of the Democratic presidential candidate is unchanged, a third say it has made them feel more negative about Obama. … .. Thirty percent said it made them have a less favorable view, whereas 2 percent said it made their view more favorable. – CBS News
John McCain continues to benefit. From
Gallup:
John McCain’s 67% favorable rating is the highest of any of the three
major candidates running for president, and ties for his highest in Gallup
polling history.
Clinton’s numbers remain below both of her challengers. The question is whether Obama’s numbers will stabilize after today. As I’ve said before, Obama’s favorability numbers have nowhere to go but down and this has already begun. The other issue is that the Rev. Wright controversy isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Obama and all Democrats have to hope that his speech today can stop the bleeding. He’s brought a lot of excitement to the primary season and we need it going forward.
In Pennsylvania, Clinton has already widened her lead.
Sen. Clinton now leads Sen. Obama, 53 to 41 percent among likely primary voters, the poll said. This compares to a 49 to 43 percent Sen. Clinton lead in a Feb. 27 poll. In that survey, the momentum was with Sen. Obama, who had narrowed a 52 to 36 percent gap from a Feb. 14 poll.
The danger waiting for Barack Obama in Pennsylvania is real. The blue collar vote is bigger than in Ohio, with the Reverend Wright blowback potential huge, especially since I don’t think Obama’s speech today will make a dent in what talk radio is offering, especially in Pennsylvanian where they rule. The outcome, if Clinton wins big and in demographics that tease what the general election could bring against McCain, is that the race could shake up all over again.
