Obama Seen As Stronger Candidate Versus McCain

Hoping to woo superdelegates, Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign has turned to the argument that she, not Sen. Obama, is the best Democrat to take on John McCain in the general election.

Exit polls from Tuesday night, however, do not support that argument. In Indiana, despite the fact that the numbers portend a Clinton win, Obama is viewed as the nominee best able to win the White House, by a margin of 50 to 47 percent. In North Carolina, according to CNN, that divide is even more pronounced: "voters gave the edge to Barack Obama: 54 percent thought he was more likely to win in November, while 40 percent chose Clinton."

There are other telling signs. Forty-five percent of Indiana Democratic primary goers said Clinton was dishonest, versus thirty-three percent for Obama. Sixty-six percent said Obama shared their values. Sixty-three percent had the same opinion of Clinton. That spread was even greater in North Carolina, where 69 percent said Obama shared their values compared to 61 percent for Clinton.

There was one saving grace for the New York Democrat. The numbers suggest that there may be more defections to John McCain should Obama end up the nominee.

Fifteen percent of North Carolina respondents say they would vote for the Arizona Republican should he and Clinton face off in November. That number rose to 19 percent if it were McCain v. Obama. In Indiana, meanwhile, 17 percent of voters said they would support McCain if he were facing Clinton, while 20 percent said they would back the McCain if he battled Obama.

Comments

[fair1234]

I TOLD EVERYBODY THAT THE WHITE HOUSE IS OBAMA'S DESTINY!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Hughsie]

This assinine poll of "Would you vote foe McCain" If your candidate loses is not even worth talking about.McCain people said the same about Bush in 2000. It didn't happen then and it won't happen now. Once Hilary is dragged off the stage she and her supporters will support OBAMA!

[BillZBubb]

"Once Hilary is dragged off the stage she and her supporters will support OBAMA!"

You want to bet? Hillary will certainly support Obama since she is a loyal Democrat contrary to the lies of the Obama supporters. A lot of her supporters won't.

[Myshkin57]

Yeah, that makes sense. A bunch of people who are lifelong Democrats will vote for McCain. Again, that makes so much sense.

[PopeRatzo]

BillZBubb, the number of Hillary supporters who won't switch to Obama once he sews up the nomination is so small as to not matter.

Yes, there are certain ofay racists who just won't vote for anyone with a drop of Black blood in them. They are the real dead-enders of American society. We've got no time for these inbred losers. Fortunately, their children are growing up hating them, and certainly won't share their hateful beliefs.

An Obama victory in November will go a long way toward healing the ugly scars of slavery. Black Americans will no longer be able to say that they are being kept out of the American dream, and when Barack shows how much better it is to have a good President for a change, a lot of whites who are borderline racists will see that there is nothing to fear from including blacks completely in our great nation.

I'm really looking forward to the next eight years and a successful Obama presidency. You better believe it's going to make our standing in the World improve, too. Maybe for a change America won't be seen as such a hateful, backward place. I'm also looking forward to the strong economy that always accompanies two Democratic Presidential terms.

[robXdion]

If Indiana voters believe Obama is more electable but Clinton wins, this implies Republican interference.

[ssmit98]

I totally agree!!!

[jaynevada]

As in new voters breaking for Obama 3 to 1. Any Republican interference would be in support of Obama, which makes eminent sense post-Wright.

[BillZBubb]

How so? People often vote for the candidate they suspect is less electable. I voted for Kerry and I knew he wasn't going to win.

[Stoyver]

I'm not so sure Kerry didn't win. You know, like Gore in 2000!