Obama Opens Up 15-Point Lead Over McCain: Newsweek Poll

Barack finally has his bounce. For weeks many political experts and pollsters have been wondering why the race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain had stayed so tight, even after the Illinois senator wrested the nomination from Hillary Clinton. With numbers consistently showing rock-bottom approval ratings for President Bush and a large majority of Americans unhappy with the country's direction, the opposing-party candidate should, in the normal course, have attracted more disaffected voters. Now it looks as if Obama is doing just that. A new NEWSWEEK Poll shows that he has a substantial double-digit lead, 51 percent to 36 percent, over McCain among registered voters nationwide.

In the previous NEWSWEEK Poll, completed in late May when Clinton was still fighting him hard for the Democratic nomination, Obama managed no better than a 46 percent tie with McCain. But as pollster Larry Hugick points out, that may have had a lot to do with all the mutual mudslinging going on between the two Democrats. By contrast, in recent weeks Clinton has not only endorsed Obama but has made plans to campaign with him. "They were in a pitched battle, and that's going to impact things. Now that we've gotten away from that period, this is the kind of bounce they've been talking about," said Hugick.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Seattlelite]

I'm pleased to see this poll but also know the republicans aren't just going off into the sunset. Keep up the efforts fellow democrats because this thing ain't over until it's over. Obama needs every dime and volunteer he can get don't let these polls fool us again.

[Susanfrom29]

It has puzzled me all along that even though most Americans feel we are heading in the wrong direction, so few of them seem willing to change course, at least according to most of the other polls. Perhaps because I live in a backwater of hard core, low information conservative voters, I don't see this election as the walk in the park many believe it will be.

I'm still fighting against the local impression that he is a Muslim, radical weatherman whose wife hates white people.

I really want to believe he is pulling ahead, but one poll doesn't give me much comfort.

[Seattlelite]

Susanfrom29 your efforts are so appreciated, keep up the good fight. If this country has to face 8 more years of republican rule we are doomed.

[riverhouse]

25% of the population support GWB. That tells you all you need to know. You can stick with the scant few nutcakes or get on board for a new America.

[luvobama]

Obama 08. Happy day will be here again.

[olivia]

Half the people in here do not know what they are talking about regarding the FISA bill.

Obama said he supported the bill but would try to remove the immunity part. Last February in an earlier version of the bill he voted FOR an amendment to strip the immunity part.

THIS BILL WAS JUST PASSED IN THE HOUSE

THE SENATE HAS NOT VOTED ON THIS BILL YET

OBAMA IS A SENATOR.

OBAMA HAS NOT VOTED FOR THIS BILL

[olivia]

It's too early for this to be true.

Don't buy it. Take nothing for granted. Keep working hard for Obama.

Diebold will weigh in. Hillary is in hiding but not for long. And it's still June.

[TovSquirrel]

Too early yet.

In any case the War Party can be assured of their re-election.

God save the republic.

[Raymondf]

Still way to early. Obama raised 22 mil, McCain raised 22 mil.

[leftoflennon]

Yeh, that was for a dying PRIMARY.

This is the general.

Watch the June numbers.

[RobinL]

Right. Gotta tell ya...I'd sent money continuously to Obama throughout the primary. Once he won, it was nice to take a little break in May. But I, like millions of others, are starting to drop the coin back in Obama's bucket---and am already budgeting for this summer and fall. We aren't going anywhere. We'll be behind him big time for the general. This election is too important.

[BlueOnBlue]

I'll repeat myself because I think it's worthwhile: This was a poll of REGISTERED voters. With such a sample, there is no indication of how likely someone is to actually vote and there is no attempt to survey those who have not yet registered.

This type of poll typically overcounts young people and minority voters, who do not generally show up at the polls in the same proportions as they registered. This may be a game-changing year and these groups may show up this time.

Meanwhile, it's wise to pay more attention to polls of LIKELY voters, such as Gallup's.

[RobinL]

Yeah, right. Just keep telling yourself that. Obama's got a nice strong lead against McCain on Rasmussen's poll this week, too---an even more accurate sampling than Gallup's.

[BlueOnBlue]

I'm not just telling myself that. I'm a research professional and I have given you a professional opinion.

By the way, I'm just as much for Obama as the n to ext person. I am talking about how to read the methodology in order to make more sense of the results. It isn't a competition.. It's information.

[johnnyjust]

Obama peaked early.

[riverhouse]

Obama is going to be the next president of the United States.

[NYC07]

McCain peaked in 2000

[Seattlelite]

riverhouse - that's funny. One thing about the democrats they cut a loser lose, no second chances. Not saying it's a good thing however.

[wm1066]

Man you got that right!

[polaris12]

Meaningless. They just like to jerk us around with poll numbers. People always forget - it's state by state electoral college votes.

[dartagnan]

Five or six points might be a bounce; 15 points is NOT a bounce. It is called "pulling away." Things will just get worse and worse for McBush from now until November.

[4real]

I am an Obama supporter and I for one don't believe in polls. When was the last time anyone of you were contacted and asked who you are supporting?

I think this polls is just trying to make Obama people complacent and not work as hard as they should and then McGaffin can sneak right in in November

The real poll that matters is in November. Continue to register, donate, volunteer and do whatever it takes to prevent McGaffin from getting in there.

[Seattlelite]

Absolutely 4real - already we are seeing the signs of compliancy. May was not a good fund raising month for Campaign Obama. After securing the nomination you would have thought he would have raised a boat load of cash. This is my fear, democrats unlike republicans get complacent. Sen. Obama knows it's never done until it's done (he proved that with his strategy in the primary) we need to do the same, this thing ain't over until it over.

[olivia]

Younger voters have cell phones, not land lines. They don't get polled.

[wm1066]

Well first off you need a land line, not a cell phone.

[1PALady]

To be honest, I was contacted just the other day.

[RobinL]

Me, too. I took the Zogby poll this last week. They email you.

[jazzman]

15 point + Diebold = a tie.

[catzoned]

LOL! Thanks for chuckle.

Some states have paper ballots now. It's a start and you good folks know you have to harrass your Reps to get them all over. To check your state: http://www.verifiedvoting.org

[WarriorLemming]

I had to chuckle when I saw your post, jazzman, how we've learned as a nation that nothing is written in stone when there are unscrupulous slimballs working out of sight. These people don't care about the "will of the people" but only about their agenda and in a sense we really are a banana republic. Not to seem too naive but I feel that it's mostly the Republicans that resort to this kind of election tampering.

[gladys46]

Isn't it cute ... watching them trying to "tickle" themselves ... it can't be done!

[bbbear]

Yep. And thanks for the succinct insight.

[gladys46]

Obama will hold up or down a little straight thru to the election! Mc has no chance! With the support of Obama's supporters he will most probably fillibuster that FISA bill ... he will need ground support though! I believe he will take the swell of the outrage concerning this bill and respond inkind! Support him and we will see that he does respond to the majority wishes of the people!

Go Obama ... you continue to have our full support in PA!

[bbbear]

Maybe, maybe not. Regardless of the polls, I hope Obama continues to run as if he were the underdog. He can let up when he becomes the President Elect...

[nellie]

15 points. Now we're getting somewhere. The actual difference needs to be at least 15 points, better 20, to counter all the entrenched cheating.