CBS Poll: Obama Leads McCain

Obama Ahead By Six Points, But Threat Looms Of Many Clinton Voters Planning To Back McCain

(CBS)  Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama holds a six point lead over his Republican counterpart John McCain, a new CBS News poll finds. Obama leads McCain 48 percent to 42 percent among registered voters, with 6 percent of respondents undecided.

The poll contains troubling signs for Obama as he looks to mobilize the Democratic Party behind him following his long and sometimes bitter battle with Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, however.

Twelve percent of Democrats say they will support McCain in the general election. That's higher than the 8 percent of Democrats who defected to President Bush in 2004. Nearly a quarter of Clinton supporters say they will back McCain instead of Obama in the general election.

McCain leads Obama by 8 points among registered independent voters, considered a key voting block in November. The Arizona senator leads Obama 46 percent to 38 percent, with 11 percent of respondents undecided.

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Read The Complete CBS News Poll On The General Election
Race And The 2008 Election
The President, Economy And Iraq

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Sixty-three percent of all voters - including more than half of Democratic primary voters - say the length of the Democratic primary battle has hurt the Democratic nominee's chances. Just 27 percent say it has helped the nominee's cause.

Roughly two-thirds of Democratic primary voters think there is a better way: to have a single national primary day instead of the current, staggered timeline.

A majority of Democratic primary voters - 59 percent - say Obama should choose Clinton as his running mate. Clinton supporters are more enthusiastic about the prospect than Obama supporters, who are evenly split on the question of Clinton as a vice presidential pick.

Overall, Obama leads Clinton among Democratic primary voters, though the margin is smaller than last month. Obama leads Clinton 45 percent to 41 percent among the group, down from a 12 point spread last month.

Many voters say former President Bill Clinton’s involvement in his wife's campaign hurt the former First Lady. Thirty-nine percent of all voters surveyed say the former president damaged his wife's campaign, while 23 percent say he helped her.

Views Of The Candidates:

McCain is seen as "very likely" to be an effective Commander-in-Chief by more registered voters than either Obama or Clinton. Thirty-nine percent of those surveyed said McCain is "very likely" to be effective, versus 25 percent for Obama and 22 percent for Clinton. However, a majority says it is at least "somewhat likely" any of the three candidates would be effective.

Obama is seen as caring a lot about voters' problems by 38 percent of registered voters, versus just 22 percent for McCain. Both candidates are seen as sharing values by a roughly even percentage of respondents, 63 percent for McCain and 62 percent for Obama.

Obama has a 41 percent favorable rating - down three percentage points from last month - and a 31 percent unfavorable rating. McCain has a 34 percent favorable rating - up two points from last month - and a 37 percent unfavorable rating.

Obama and other Democrats have repeatedly stressed that McCain’s policies would essentially mean a third term for Mr. Bush. More than four in ten voters believe McCain would, indeed, generally continue Mr. Bush’s policies.

And while about half think McCain would be different from the current President, nearly as many say he will be MORE conservative (21 percent) as think he will be LESS conservative (28 percent).

Sixty-two percent of those asked say McCain's age - he will be 72 on inauguration day - will not impact his effectiveness as president. Thirty percent say it will be an obstacle, while 7 percent see it as an asset.

President Bush:

President Bush's approval rating is at its lowest level to date. Just 25 percent of Americans approve of the overall job Mr. Bush is doing as President, an all-time low for him and among the lowest approval ratings ever recorded for a President.

Sixty-seven percent disapprove of the job Bush is doing - the highest such figure in CBS News polls since he assumed office.

Only Presidents Nixon (24 percent) and Truman (22 percent) have seen polls showing job approval ratings lower than 25 percent during their presidencies, according to Gallup Polls. President Carter’s all-time low was 26 percent.

The Economy And Gas Prices:

Thirty-four percent of Americans cite the economy as their top concern, more than any other issue. That's followed by gas prices, cited as the top concern by 16 percent of those surveyed, the war in Iraq, cited by 15 percent, and health care, cited by 4 percent.

Sixty-five percent say that the recent increase in gas prices has caused them financial hardship - and 36 percent say that hardship is serious. Nearly nine in 10 Americans expect gas prices to go up even further over the summer.

Nearly one in five Americans say their income is not enough to pay their bills. Nearly half of Americans say they are making just enough to pay their bills.

Americans have become slightly more optimistic about the economy than they were in May, though they still remain overwhelmingly pessimistic. Twenty percent of those surveyed say the economy is in good shape, up from 16 percent a month ago. Seventy-eight percent say the economy is in bad shape.

Almost 70 percent of those surveyed believe the economy is getting worse; only 3 percent say it is improving.

Eighty-three percent think the country is on the wrong track - the highest percentage in the twenty-five years since CBS News began asking the question. Just 14 percent say things are on the right track.

The War In Iraq:

Americans are more pessimistic than ever about the prospects for a stable Iraq.

Sixty-one percent say Iraq will never become a stable democracy - the highest number since CBS News starting asking the question in December 2003. Just one third think Iraq will become a stable democracy, and most of them think that will take longer than two years.

Thirty-five percent of those surveyed say things are going well in Iraq, down from 40 percent in April. Sixty-two percent say things are going badly.

Americans would like U.S. troops to come home from Iraq sooner rather than later. 42 percent are willing to have U.S troops remain in Iraq for only a year or less. 21 percent say troops should stay for one to two years more, while 30 percent are willing to keep troops in Iraq longer than two years.

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This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1,038 adults nationwide, including 930 registered voters, interviewed by telephone May 30-June 3, 2008. Phone numbers were dialed from RDD samples of both standard land-lines and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus four percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher. The error for the sample of registered voters is plus or minus four points.

[von_marko]

CHICAGO - A prominent fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama and Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted Wednesday of fraud and money laundering after a high-profile federal trial provided an unusually detailed glimpse of the pay-to-play politics that has made Illinois infamous.

[one-american]

This poll means only one thing:

Liberals are pessimists at heart.

That is exactly why Obama will lose.

[whatithink-2009]

McCain was one of the Keating Five.

[ofbyfor1]

I''m guessing that a lot of the defectors to McCain will come back once Hillary starts campaigning for Obama and they realize just how far McCain''s positions are from the ones that they liked Hillary for. Obama''s policies and Clinton''s are almost identical. Also, when they consider the possibility of another conservative on the Supreme Court, I think a LOT of women will change their minds. Only time will tell, but that''s my guess.

And McCain is probably not going to come off as a very good campaigner. Last night''s speech was the first chance he had to speak to a national audience against his (presumptive) opponent and he BOMBED big time. That was the best he could do? I was actually embarrassed for him.

[notopennshut]

Let Hillary''s supporters vote for McCain! They will not be a loss to the democratic party, just as Hillary will not be a loss if she decides to run as an independent. Let''s see what kind of support she will get! In fact, it would be best for the party if she leaves, after all, she''s the one who has most damaged the party so far. As for putting on as VP, forget it, especially from the head of BET. Who needs him too? He is just as divisive, and we really do not need such people and the games they play. Perhaps it is time to purge the party of all such person, who claim to be party faithfuls yet try to divide and destroy the party for the sake of their own personal ambitions. Sometimes it takes a loss for party faithfuls and leaders to realize what is best, and if this is what will happen, so be it.

[ofbyfor1]

Posted by von_marko at 06:44 PM : Jun 04, 2008

Obama has not been indicted. Please, guilt by association is soooo un-American.

[vnveteran72]

Pappy looks like he''s just put a deposit in the old Depends....LMMFAO...

[ofbyfor1]

McCain has been seeking the Republican nomination for many years and for the most part has been little better than a mediocre candidate. He used to be (something of) a maverick, but lately has shown that he is all too willing to align himself with Bush and his policies and has been doing more flipping than IHOP.

Especially after what Bush and Rove did to him in the last election, I find that disgusting. He should have had enough integrity to tell Bush to stick it where the sun don''t shine, at least to honor his daughter, but instead he sucked up to the guy who spread the rumor that she was his b@st@rd child. No integrity there at all if you can''t step up to the plate for your child, adopted or otherwise. And this from the ''party of family values''... NOT!

[broadwayphi]

McCain''s Senate votes were 95% in line with Bush.

95%.

Like Bush? You''ll love McCain.

[jerr11]

That is exactly why Obama will lose.

Posted by One-American at 06:45 PM : Jun 04, 2008



Obama will lose because the neocons will not let him win.

Expect to see a replay of FL 2000 and OH 04.

The neocons strategy of winning.

If you can''t beat him, steal the elections!

[shoebox119]

Any disgruntled idiot who backed Hillary and plans to vote for McCain was a closet Republican in the first place. Good riddance!

[von_marko]

He also advised Obama on the purchase of a new Chicago home and, in his wife''''s name, purchased a vacant lot next to the new Obama home at the same time from a couple who insisted on selling both pieces of property simultaneously. The purchase raised questions about the extent of his help

[shoebox119]

CBS: ''Twelve percent of Democrats say they will support McCain in the general election. That''s higher than the 8 percent of Democrats who defected to President Bush in 2004.''

Well, duh... I''m sure the fact the poll was taken the day after Obama is declared the presumptive nominee, meaning that a large majority of Hillary''s are still freaking bummed out and angry has nothing to do with those outrageous numbers.

Anything for a story, huh, CBS?

[von_marko]

Rezko has known Obama since he entered politics and was involved in a 2005 real estate deal with the Democratic presidential candidate
Rezko donated more than $21,000 to Obama and raised far more for his campaigns in Illinois, though not his presidential bid.

[naucoming4u]

"Nearly a quarter of Clinton supporters say they will back McCain instead of Obama in the general election."

Clintonistas who vote for McCain in the general election will be voting for the deaths of thousands more U.S. soldiers.

May their hearts weigh heavy and their GUILT run long and deep!

[ofbyfor1]

Only a deadbeat would vote for this radical liberal.

Posted by b48151 at 06:58 PM : Jun 04, 2008

Watch those accusations, buddy. I probably work harder than you. My average commute for the past 10 years is 4 hours a day. Plus, I often take work home. So spare me the deadbeat accusations, please.

[von_marko]

Only a deadbeat would vote for this radical liberal.

[jerr11]

I''m a conservative.

I vote republican in local elections and democrat in national elections.

I will never vote for the neocons who have hijacked the GOP for their greedy agendas.

Expect a replay of the vote rigging in Florida 2000 and Ohio 2004.

Expect the swiftboat veterans for sleaze to come out soon with their lies.

Expect racists ads with blond women and black men - remember Harold Ford!

That''s the GOP today - scumbags and scoundrels all.

[von_marko]

and the racist sheep chant " Baaah Baaaah Obaaaaama, we looove you Baaaaaaah"

[ofbyfor1]

Only a deadbeat would vote for this radical liberal.

Posted by von_marko at 07:05 PM : Jun 04, 2008

So how many hours a week do you put into that burger flipping job you''ve got?

[von_marko]

what you got against burgers?

[panhandlpete]

Well, I am a dreamer. I dream of a very wealthy, patriotic ambitious person who will run as an Independent candidate so that the DNC can actually know how many of the party they have lost.

[skyk-2009]

Only a deadbeat would vote for this radical liberal.


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Posted by von_marko at 07:05 PM : Jun 04, 2008
+ report abuse

That''s really a very desperate act from a very desperate person. Could you share with us why we shouldn''t ALL vote for this YOUNG, INTELLIGENT Man? I mean other than your very tortured meaning of the word Liberal. I have looked at his position and the Position of McCain carefully on ALL the issues that matter and Honestly I can''t see where you are coming from... unless YOU are one of the VERY few in this nation who do not think we need to change course. Regardless, this lame "don''t vote for them because they are "liberal" thing isn''t going to help you much this time".

[von_marko]

i mean those 98% that are voting for him ONLY because of his race

[ofbyfor1]

what you got against burgers?

Posted by von_marko at 07:10 PM : Jun 04, 2008

Nothing. Whay do you make unfounded accusations against other hard-working Americans just because you disagree with their political views?

[max0010]

So CBS quit with the Polls they are so inaccurate and misleading. Fox Radio took a poll too and it is posted at http://affiliates.foxnewsradio.com/Radio/player.html and it shows McCain 71% to Obama''s 19%....wow what a difference!!!!!!!!! I didn''t get to vote, but if I had it would be for McCain not OBAMA---he has deceived a lot of people but time will show everyone his true colors.

[skyk-2009]

and the racist sheep chant " Baaah Baaaah Obaaaaama, we looove you Baaaaaaah"


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Posted by von_marko at 07:08 PM : Jun 04, 2008
+ report abuse

YES we can! YES we can!! No more "Trickle Down". Down with the VERY unfair Trade Agreements. A TRUE fix for Social Security and Medicare. Honest Health Care Reform. YES WE CAN!!

[jydavis1]

Obama''s first stop - kissing Israel''s arse, bowing to the AIPAC gods Amerika, Hillary doing the same minutes after - it doesn''t matter who wins in the United States of Israel .. nothing will change -

[von_marko]

His dad exemplifies what is wrong with our higher education system He comes to USA on a scholarship, gets a PHD and leaves the country,

[von_marko]

Obaaama foreign policy resume.
1. Vacation with mommy

[skyk-2009]

what you got against burgers?


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Posted by von_marko at 07:10 PM : Jun 04, 2008
+ report abuse

LOL I think the citizen was pointing to your lack of intelligence there. You never post anything in support of YOUR canidate... just wacked out childish phrases that mean NOTHING. This nation is in deep trouble right now and we need to be talking about our problems... it IS rather stupid to just dismiss those problems and issues the way you do.

[ofbyfor1]

98% that are voting for him ONLY because of his race

Posted by von_marko at 07:12 PM : Jun 04, 2008

Absurd thing to say. I''m white and almost every white person I know plans to vote for him, in part because we don''t CARE about his race.

And what about the number of people who will vote against him because of his race? hmm...

[von_marko]

sky..and the racist sheep chant " Baaah Baaaah Obaaaaama, we looove you Baaaaaaah"

You just said it. Take from the rich and give to the poor. What you gonna do when everyone is poor???

[skyk-2009]

Obama''''s first stop - kissing Israel''''s arse, bowing to the AIPAC gods Amerika, Hillary doing the same minutes after - it doesn''''t matter who wins in the United States of Israel .. nothing will change -


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Posted by jydavis1 at 07:14 PM : Jun 04, 2008

Oh I disagree!! I think Obama will do away with the very bad "Trickle Down" economics and he will act to put Social Security on firm footing without going against the will of the people. I think he WILL take our troops out of Bush''s war in Iraq and he will go after those who attacked us...Oh yes I do believe things will change... YES WE CAN!!

[von_marko]

sky.. My intelligence is just fine. I''m adjusting to the typical Obama supporter on this blog. 19 years old sitting in a starbucks.

[ofbyfor1]

Posted by skyk at 07:16 PM : Jun 04, 2008

Thank you.

[skyk-2009]

Absurd thing to say. I''''m white and almost every white person I know plans to vote for him, in part because we don''''t CARE about his race.

And what about the number of people who will vote against him because of his race? hmm...


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Posted by ofbyfor1 at 07:16 PM : Jun 04, 2008

I don''t care what his color is, after listening to him speak last night I''m voting for him!! The man has a vision and a dream that we can all share. He has the YES WE CAN attitude that has been missing from this nation''s leadership for oh so long.

[von_marko]

Why do teenage girls and terrorist all want Obaama to win?

[ofbyfor1]

I''''m adjusting to the typical Obama supporter on this blog. 19 years old sitting in a starbucks.

Posted by von_marko at 07:18 PM : Jun 04, 2008

Not only do I probably work harder than you, I''m probably older than you as well. From the immaturity of your posts, all I can say is ''God, I hope so''. Pretty scary if that''s not the case.

[skyk-2009]

You just said it. Take from the rich and give to the poor. What you gonna do when everyone is poor???


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Posted by von_marko at 07:16 PM : Jun 04, 2008
+ report abuse

I said NOTHING of the kind.. You seem to have a complex or something... kinda like you feel you are superior to those who you are talking with! That is something you need to deal with isn''t it. What I said is he will end "Trickle Down", an economic policy that has failed EVERY time it has been tried... ALL Trickle Down has EVER done for America is given future generations a debt to pay. Example is the 9.5 TRILLION Dollar Debt run up by the Bush Administration and the Republican''s. WE MUST fix Social Security and the PEOPLE, not me or Obama have made it very clear they do NOT what the system tampered with. YOUR greed is breath taking indeed!!

[ofbyfor1]

I''''m adjusting to the typical Obama supporter on this blog. 19 years old sitting in a starbucks.

Posted by von_marko at 07:18 PM : Jun 04, 2008

Not only do I probably work harder than you, I''m probably older than you as well. From the immaturity of your posts, all I can say is ''God, I hope so''. Pretty scary if that''s not the case.

[skyk-2009]

sky.. My intelligence is just fine. I''''m adjusting to the typical Obama supporter on this blog. 19 years old sitting in a starbucks.


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Posted by von_marko at 07:18 PM : Jun 04, 2008
+ report abuse

Better adjust your Tin Foil or as My pal MCVet would say, stop using that Magic Swastika. I''m 60 years old and teach at a local Community College. Again you should deal with this "Superior" Attitude you have... it''s not conductive to good discussion!!

[tiredofobama]

Yep, John Boy it IS! The DNC oligarchy doesn''t get to choose who we vote for THANK GOD!

John McCain won his nomination from the people when the RNC tried to push him out!

Hillary won hers too, but the DNC pushed her out!

My vote goes to the candidate that got chosen by the people!

[skyk-2009]

Why do teenage girls and terrorist all want Obaama to win?


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Posted by von_marko at 07:22 PM : Jun 04, 2008
+ report abuse

Do you normally talk like some dhild in a school yard?? Instead of open frank discussion of issues you seem to prefer mud slinging and outright rediculous statements. Honestly I hear more honest debate from my students. I assume you are an adult... not a very mature one but an adult.

[whatithink-2009]

PART I

"Joe gets up at 6 a.m. and fills his coffeepot with water to prepare his morning coffee. The water is clean and good because some tree-hugging liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards.
With his first swallow of water, he takes his daily medication. His medications are safe to take because some stupid commie liberal fought to insure their safety and that they work as advertised.
All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer''''s medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance - now Joe gets it too."

[ofbyfor1]

it''''s not conductive to good discussion!!

Posted by skyk at 07:25 PM : Jun 04, 2008

skyk, it seems pretty obvious by now that von_barko isn''t interested in the slightest in ''good discussion''. He just wants to bark to hear the sound of his own voice and prove what a big man he is to his buddies so they can all ''tee hee'' together. Bark away, Junior.

[skyk-2009]

Why do toe tappin'''' nazi wannabe neoratz like von_marko hate America?


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Posted by jh6379 at 07:23 PM : Jun 04, 2008
+ report abuse

You got me! It''s like their in a Cult and the Country and our security come second. Anyone looking at our position in the world today and NOT seeing a need to change directions MUST have some reason OTHER than the benefit of We the PEOPLE!

[jedi080808]

ep, John Boy it IS! The DNC oligarchy doesn''''t get to choose who we vote for THANK GOD!

John McCain won his nomination from the people when the RNC tried to push him out!

Hillary won hers too, but the DNC pushed her out!

My vote goes to the candidate that got chosen by the people!

Posted by TiredofObama

Cry me a river. Obama beat her fair and square. If BIllary want to blame someone, she should look in the mirror and all the mistakes she made.

DId anyone read the vanity fair article on Bill CLinton and all his women. THat guys cracks me up

[whatithink-2009]

PART II

"He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs. Joe''''s bacon is safe to eat because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents because some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained.
Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air.
He walks to the subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.
Joe begins his workday. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards."

[jedi080808]

My vote goes to the candidate that got chosen by the people!

Posted by TiredofObam

AHHHHHH Hillary didn''t win the popular vote. Including FL Obama wone by 8000 votes. Check out Realpolotics.com