NBC/WSJ Poll: Obama Holds Lead, Only 14% Of McCain Supporters "Excited"

A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll is out tonight. Some key highlights:

-- Barack Obama leads John Mcain by 6 percent, 47-41, a number unchanged since last month's poll. But when Ralph Nader and Bob Barr are added as options, Obama's lead doubles to 13 points.

Obama 48
McCain 35
Nader 5
Barr 2

-- McCain has a slight edge, 46-41, when respondents were asked to identify the "safer" choice for president. But Obama is seen widely as the "riskier" choice, by a margin of 55-35.

-- McCain faces a major enthusiasm gap. Only 14 percent of his supporters say they are "excited" about him, versus 44 percent for Obama. For McCain, 43 percent describe him as the "lesser of two evils," versus 22 percent for Obama.

-- On a key issue of the day, Americans side with Obama: 60 percent believe a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq is a good idea; 30 percent do not.

-- As Eric Kleefeld notes, "Huge majorities say Obama is more likable, more compassionate and able to understand average people, offers hope and optimism for the future, and would improve America's standing in the world. But at the same time, McCain has his own lop-sided majorities on being a good commander-in-chief, and on being knowledgeable and experienced enough to handle the presidency."

More breakdown of the poll from MSNBC's Keith Olbermann and NBC News political director Chuck Todd:

Comments

[SeanGardner]

Another close poll...Ok. But in the end, Obama will be fine.

Not only is he mobilizing in baby-blue states, but he is also mobilizing in ruby-red states like Alaska, Montana, and Missouri. This article right here does a good job illustrating his investment: http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/obama-takes-advantage-in-field-offices-2008-07-23.html.

And, together with HUFFPOST Blogger and former Republican Lincoln Chafee, Obama is organizing efforts to snare the votes of "Obamicans" who are probably mainly moderate, Suburban Republicans who are pro-choice and pro-gay rights. This effort is detailed here: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/campaign-is-coordinating-a-blitz-by-the-obamacans-2008-07-23.html.

So in the end, no matter where the polls are now, Obama has a better ground game, and has more internet buzz that is helping him to reach young people who are coming out in record numbers to vote this Fall.

[JLee]

And remember the "cell phone gap" of cell-only or primarily-cell users who are likely to lean heavily O, and can't be entirely compensated for in the polls. Also, the Republican base may want to stop O but aren't energized about his opponent. That's hardly a good recipe for voter turnout, as we learned in 2004 with Kerry.

[donttasemebro]

If you go to electoral-vote.com, they have a map where you can go and see not only all the polls for every single state, but all the polls from 2004 as well. Very interesting, and very scary. K3rry had a comfortable lead over Shrub at this time in 2004.

[sparkandy]

I know very few people voting for Obama. Almost everyone is voting for McCain. However, not one single one of them is happy about it. They're in the lesser of two evils category. The few Obama supporters I know are VERY happy about getting to vote for him. Weird election.....

[Kim445588]

Interesting,

I don't know a single person voting for McClone. It may be that no one I know is brave enough to admit to being that stupid.

[sparkandy]

I live in Oklahoma. Lots of very conservative people here, not to mention the religious weirdos. We're crazy, but happy!

[MPeter]

If you have not seen this montage of pics on Obama's foreign trip, take a look. Don't forget to check out MCBush arriving at an airport in NH, alone with a few reporters! No wonder he has been angry and frustrated. http://www.laconiademocrats.org/

[Fabienne]

I know of no one who is voting for McCain either, but then, I choose my friends and acquaintances very carefully.

[donttasemebro]

You need new friends.

[Timezoned]

A majority give John McCain higher points on being knowledgeable and experienced enough to handle the presidency
Just look at that sentence.
The news is filled to the brim with examples of John McCain not knowing the first thing about what he's talking about, spouting right wing militaristic talking points out of touch with any sense of reality, he doesn't know where countries are geographically, he argues fine points about how to get us out of this complete disaster in Iraq that he vigorusly supported getting us into, and doesn't hide the fact that he'd love to get us into more catastrophic invasions as well so he can then debate how to get out of those---
Sigh.
Simply amazing. Yet, a majority give John McCain higher points on being knowledgeable and experienced enough to handle the presidency.
It makes you wonder what drugs the country is on.

[jp5472]

Just goes to show you the two minute attention span of most. It's all about the first impression and getting (just as in '04) so many to think that the "battleship mentality" of the McCain candidacy is the safe way to go....just like the mentality of a sexual predator - lure the innocents in with sweet, likable, safe behavior (and candy and gifts too), appeal to their need and want for safety and security and once convinced, its too late for the victim - another four years of Ponzi scheme economics, more scrapping of environmental programs and laws (to the obvious detriment of the health of this country's citizens), more dependency on oil (whether foreign or domestic) to keep those profits flowing, more ways created for conflict and subsequent military spending and no-bid contracts, more scuttling of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, less money for education, health, bridges and roads...welcome to the outlook of a modern day depression, (we could have Bush and McCainvilles, modeled after Hoovervilles) because that's where we're headed.

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

So does this mean that 86% are on life support or something?

[splendidbeast]

After that 14% takes their viagra they get excited.

[DRaymond]

I think we have seen the route of the rest of the campaign.

Obama is 'more exciting', people are more 'focused on what king of president he would be', 'likeable', 'compassionate', 'exciting', 'riskier' and 'improving our standing in the world.

McCain is 'strong leadership', 'consistent(?)', 'experienced', 'safer'

So if you were advising McCain what would you do? Simple. Fear. Fear of terrorists, Fear of Communists, Fear of Muslims, Fear of Immigrants, Fear of Bankers,Fear of radical preachers, Fear of the Future, Fear of Heights, Heck even Fear of Spiders would work! As long as you are afraid enough you will go with 'strong--experienced--safer'. The only thing that might not work is fear of John McCain, but that most likely the only exception.

So hold on folks, this is going to be the absolutely most fear drenched campaign ever. Look at the numbers, it is the only tool left in McCain's tool box! Bush at least had the 'likeable' and 'exciting' items over Kerry.

[sparkandy]

Hey! If McCain promises to keep spiders away from me, he's got my vote. I'd vote for ANYONE who could do that.

[Grunty1]

Single issue voter: spiders

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

I have a feeling those 14% were taking Viagra or Cialis or Levitra and got a wee bit confused....they'll wake up tomorrow and understand that they made a mistake....

[the964kid]

14% ??! Thats about 15% more then I'd have thought!

[WoodyCPM]

These silly polls at this date are meaningless. A week in politics is like a year in real time. Anything can happen between now and November. These polls mean nothing.

[changeizcoming]

14% are the paid trolls.

[Dunsmuir]

14%? As many as that?

[olivia]

The 14% who are excited are PUMAs who hope that electing McCain would give them another chance in 2012.

[WhiteDelyte]

I've never been more thrilled for an old, white, angry guy.
Because staying the course has given us the surge, which has clearly made Americans living not in Iraq, more safe. Clearly.
Besides my house value has dropped and my job is about to be ixnayed.
And I dont hear Obama talkin' bout tax-give-away checks.

[hudsuckerproxy]

"Only 14 percent of his supporters say they are 'excited' about him."

Frankly, I'm surprised it's that many.

[Kynn]

25% or so of people still approve of George Bush.

The bar is set pretty low for those people to get excited.

[olivia]

14% are truly excited to get a phone call, from anybody, anybody at all - even a pollster.

[afgail]

Americans vote for the guy they "like" and they like Obama by huge majorities.

[momof3inGA]

Good point!

[chicagoexpat]

That's ASTOUNDING!!! how'd McCain even get as high as 14% excited over him?

[Chillinout]

v iagra

[kellygrrrl]

the "14%" - can we get a group photo - just for my own personal entertainment - please?

[Kynn]

So that's the top 1% wealth in the country.

and 13% that would like to give living in a dumpster a go.