Pew survey: Obama up but potholes ahead

A survey released today by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press shows Democrat Barack Obama the best poised presidential contender right now both in his own primary and looking ahead to the general election.

Democratic primary voters said they prefer Obama to Hillary Clinton 49 percent to 40 percent. Strikingly, when asked who is most likely to win, those voters predicted Obama over Clinton, 70-17. And one-third of voters survey said at age 71 the presumptive Republican nominee John McCain is too old for the job.

But if Obama were to emerge as the Democratic nominee, some trends could undercut his edge even though polls show him more popular than McCain right now.

One in five white Democratic voters said they would cross party lines to vote for McCain over Obama; that's twice as many as if Clinton were the nominee.

Meanwhile, 56 percent of voters think Obama's promises are too vague. Another 43 percent worry he isn't tough enough on foreign affairs.

The Pew survey also found Americans are increasingly optimistic about progress in Iraq and 47 percent now favor keeping U.S. troops there until the situation is stable. Pew found that was the highest percentage support in more than a year. Obama and Clinton are proposing withdrawing troops while McCain is not.

The survey of 1,508 adults was conducted Feb. 20-24. To read the full report, go to:  people-press.org/reports/pdf/398.pdf

Comments

[Janet]

I like Obama's personality but think Clinton is the best person for the job. If Obams becomes the Democratic candidate, I will have to vote for McCain because I do not think Obama is ready to run the country. He is weak.

[Samantha burns]

Finally, someone is telling truth. Barak Husseing Osama is an imposter. He doesn't even know who is the chairman of foreign relations in the senate. He hates NAFTA but he says he is using to get votes but acutally he supports it. I don't know why Obama has to tell people who to vote for people need to think for themselves. He is a liar he is promising everything to every one with no backing how to pay for it. I can't believe people of America want to trust him with national security. He needs to go to Oparah the BS to do a talk show.That's what he is good at with no substance. He and wife has to patriotism for this country all he says 'make me the president I will give everything. You liberal think now is bad wait till he gets to white house. There will not be enough money in our pockets to go McDonalds. I blame media for everything. He says he is running a civil campaign all he does attack Mrs. Clinton. If Hillary doesn't get nomination I like many others will vote for McCain.