Oct. 30, 2008

Poll: Obama Maintains Comfortable Lead

CBS/NY Times Survey Finds Double-Digit Advantage For Democrat As Voters Express Fear About Both Candidates

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(CBS)  With less than one week until Election Day, Barack Obama maintains a clear lead over John McCain in the presidential race, a new CBS News/New York Times poll suggests. The Democratic nominee now leads his Republican rival by 11 percentage points, 52 percent to 41 percent, among likely voters nationwide.

A small percentage of these voters could still switch sides: The figures include both firm supporters of each candidate and those who lean towards one or the other but have not fully committed. These so-called leaners, however, make up less than 10 percent of each candidate's support, a sign that significant movement in the campaign's final days is not likely. Just five percent of the likely voters surveyed remain completely undecided.

Seventeen percent of registered voters say they have already voted, either by absentee ballot or at early voting sites, and this group favors Obama by a large margin. The 13 percent of registered voters casting ballots for the first time favor Obama over McCain by two-to-one.

Intense feelings surround the prospect of either candidate being elected. Fifty-seven percent of likely McCain voters say they are scared about Obama becoming president, while 47 percent of Obama voters are scared of a McCain presidency.

Read The Complete Poll
The McCain voters who are scared of an Obama presidency feel uneasy about the Illinois senator’s ability to handle an international crisis, and they do not think he shares the values of most Americans. These voters are more likely to older, and many are evangelical Christians.

Obama voters scared of McCain becoming president think the Arizona senator does not understand their needs and problems. These voters are more likely to be women, and liberal, and about a quarter of them are African American.

An enthusiasm gap remains between the candidates: While roughly half of Obama's supporters are excited about their candidate being elected, just 22 percent of McCain voters feel the same.

More than half of both Obama and McCain's supporters say it is "extremely" important their candidate become president, and an additional third say it is "very" important.

Positions On The Issues:

Most registered voters believe that both Obama and McCain could work with the opposition party, with 70 percent arguing that Obama could reach across the aisle and 66 percent saying McCain could.

But on the economy - the most important issue to a majority of voters in making a choice for president - Obama has a clear advantage. A majority of registered voters say Obama's policies would make the economy better, while half as many say they would make the economy worse. By contrast, nearly as many expect McCain's policies to make the economy worse (31 percent) as expect his policies to make the economy better (32 percent).

Low income voters, in particular, expect Obama's policies to help the economy and McCain's to make things worse.

McCain does have a slight edge when it comes to raising taxes, a topic he has focused on in recent weeks. Fifty percent of those surveyed expect Obama to raise the taxes of people like them, while 46 percent expect McCain to do so. Vast majorities believe Obama would raise taxes on big business and McCain would not.

Sixty-six percent believe an Obama administration would result in more Americans having health care. Just 23 percent think this would happen in a McCain administration.

A majority believe McCain's policies would lead to more U.S. involvement in Iraq. Eighty percent say Obama's policies would result in less involvement with the country.

Continued



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Add a Comment See all 1478 Comments
by blitzder November 3, 2008 4:51 AM EST
Posted by NEEDERBAUR at 12:36 AM : Nov 03, 2008
----------------------

You have picked lines out of context,from Obama''s book and try to paint him as a black terrorist, who is agoinst whites. YOUR RACISM IS PLAIN FOR ALL TO SEE.

Africans were brought to America against their will almost 300 years ago, BY WHITES. So go bark on some other tree, your agruments don''t wash. You are simply a low life RACIST.

Reply to this comment
by neederbaur November 3, 2008 3:36 AM EST
I WANT TO SEE U.S. MARSHAL''''S RAID ALL ACORN OFFICES.FRAUD IS FRAUD.From Dreams of My Father: "I ceased to advertise my mother''''''''''''''''s race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites."

From Dreams of My Father: "I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother''''''''''''''''s race."

From Dreams of My Father: "There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white."

From Dreams of My Father: ; "It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names."

From Dreams of My Father: "I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn''''''''''''''''t speak to my own. It was into my father''''''''''''''''s image, the black man, son of Africa, that I''''''''''''''''d packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, Dubois and Mandela."

From Audacity of Hope: "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
Reply to this comment
by biyijo November 2, 2008 11:20 AM EST
Posted by wtlib at 06:09 PM : Nov 01, 2008

At least this will put your mind at rest that Barak Obama is a genuine citizen of United States Of America and is eligible to contest for the presidential election.


HONOLULU (AP) %u2014 State officials say there''s no doubt Barack Obama was born in Hawaii.

Health Department Director Dr. Chiyome ****** said Friday she and the registrar of vital statistics, Alvin Onaka, have personally verified that the health department holds Obama''s original birth certificate.

****** says that no state official, including Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, ever instructed that Obama''s certificate be handled differently.

She says state law bars release of a certified birth certificate to anyone who does not have a tangible interest.

Some Obama critics claim he was not born in the US.

Earlier Friday, a southwest Ohio magistrate rejected a challenge to Obama''s citizenship. Judges in Seattle and Philadelphia recently dismissed similar suits.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iw1At-4G1xuE50oXVFRlBPfR3dqgD945OLU00
Reply to this comment
by biyijo November 2, 2008 11:20 AM EST
Posted by wtlib at 06:09 PM : Nov 01, 2008

At least this will put your mind at rest that Barak Obama is a genuine citizen of United States Of America and is eligible to contest for the presidential election.


HONOLULU (AP) %u2014 State officials say there''s no doubt Barack Obama was born in Hawaii.

Health Department Director Dr. Chiyome ****** said Friday she and the registrar of vital statistics, Alvin Onaka, have personally verified that the health department holds Obama''s original birth certificate.

****** says that no state official, including Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, ever instructed that Obama''s certificate be handled differently.

She says state law bars release of a certified birth certificate to anyone who does not have a tangible interest.

Some Obama critics claim he was not born in the US.

Earlier Friday, a southwest Ohio magistrate rejected a challenge to Obama''s citizenship. Judges in Seattle and Philadelphia recently dismissed similar suits.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iw1At-4G1xuE50oXVFRlBPfR3dqgD945OLU00
Reply to this comment
by biyijo November 2, 2008 11:18 AM EST
Posted by wtlib at 06:09 PM : Nov 01, 2008
At least this will put your mind at rest that Barak Obama is a genuine citizen of United States Of America and is eligible to contest for the presidential election.


HONOLULU (AP) %u2014 State officials say there''s no doubt Barack Obama was born in Hawaii.

Health Department Director Dr. Chiyome ****** said Friday she and the registrar of vital statistics, Alvin Onaka, have personally verified that the health department holds Obama''s original birth certificate.

****** says that no state official, including Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, ever instructed that Obama''s certificate be handled differently.

She says state law bars release of a certified birth certificate to anyone who does not have a tangible interest.

Some Obama critics claim he was not born in the US.

Earlier Friday, a southwest Ohio magistrate rejected a challenge to Obama''s citizenship. Judges in Seattle and Philadelphia recently dismissed similar suits.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iw1At-4G1xuE50oXVFRlBPfR3dqgD945OLU00
Reply to this comment
by biyijo November 2, 2008 11:18 AM EST
Posted by wtlib at 06:09 PM : Nov 01, 2008
At least this will put your mind at rest that Barak Obama is a genuine citizen of United States Of America and is eligible to contest for the presidential election.


HONOLULU (AP) %u2014 State officials say there''s no doubt Barack Obama was born in Hawaii.

Health Department Director Dr. Chiyome ****** said Friday she and the registrar of vital statistics, Alvin Onaka, have personally verified that the health department holds Obama''s original birth certificate.

****** says that no state official, including Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, ever instructed that Obama''s certificate be handled differently.

She says state law bars release of a certified birth certificate to anyone who does not have a tangible interest.

Some Obama critics claim he was not born in the US.

Earlier Friday, a southwest Ohio magistrate rejected a challenge to Obama''s citizenship. Judges in Seattle and Philadelphia recently dismissed similar suits.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iw1At-4G1xuE50oXVFRlBPfR3dqgD945OLU00
Reply to this comment
by biyijo November 2, 2008 11:17 AM EST
Posted by wtlib at 06:09 PM : Nov 01, 2008
At least this will put your mind at rest that Barak Obama is a genuine citizen of United States Of America and is eligible to contest for the presidential election.


HONOLULU (AP) %u2014 State officials say there''s no doubt Barack Obama was born in Hawaii.

Health Department Director Dr. Chiyome ****** said Friday she and the registrar of vital statistics, Alvin Onaka, have personally verified that the health department holds Obama''s original birth certificate.

****** says that no state official, including Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, ever instructed that Obama''s certificate be handled differently.

She says state law bars release of a certified birth certificate to anyone who does not have a tangible interest.

Some Obama critics claim he was not born in the US.

Earlier Friday, a southwest Ohio magistrate rejected a challenge to Obama''s citizenship. Judges in Seattle and Philadelphia recently dismissed similar suits.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iw1At-4G1xuE50oXVFRlBPfR3dqgD945OLU00
Reply to this comment
by sher747 November 2, 2008 4:43 AM EST
There was no group known as Al Qaeda in 1981, GENIUS!!! Al Qaeda wasnt founded until 1988....STOP THE LIES!!!!

Posted by chitown_639 at 11:02 PM : Nov 01, 2008
-----------

I might have the year wrong perhaps but Obama did go to Pakistan when Americans were not allowed to go there. Most likely he did not have American passport then. As for Al-Qaeda, earlier to 1988 they were called by different names such as Afghan mujjahideens, until Osama took over the group around 1988.

I hink Osama has an easier way of taking down the US. Get Obama elected. He will withdraw all the troops. Introduce socialist idas that will bring down the contry like France and much of Europe. No one there has guts to stand against Al Qaeda. So the people who ae happiest by Obama winning will be Osama, Irani zealots, much of pro-Arab revolutionists, Hamas and Lebanese rebels. That is a good list of "foriegn relationship" we desparately need. Europe will hail us for joining their undedog staus and gleefully "bend" for the Islamic Rebels to take them as such. Great people of US who are electing Obama ! There is another option you had but did not choose. Taking that gun from those Western Pensylvanians and shooting into your own foot.
Reply to this comment
by judah508 November 2, 2008 4:26 AM EST
Barack Obama''s Intimidation Tactics Continue on Technorati
Video: Thumbnail of Barack Obama won''t Hoodwinked of Bamboozled by John McCain; Video: Thumbnail of Barack Obama''s Intimidation Tactics Continue ...
technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DKWjz-Z_UdsY - 27k - Cached - Similar pages

NOW we know why the media is so biased!

http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DKWjz-Z_UdsY
Reply to this comment
by judah508 November 2, 2008 4:22 AM EST
Barack Obama''s Intimidation Tactics Continue on Technorati
Video: Thumbnail of Barack Obama won''t Hoodwinked of Bamboozled by John McCain; Video: Thumbnail of Barack Obama''s Intimidation Tactics Continue ...
technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DKWjz-Z_UdsY - 27k - Cached - Similar pages

NOW we know why the media is so biased!

http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DKWjz-Z_UdsY
Reply to this comment
by judah508 November 2, 2008 4:20 AM EST
Barack Obama''s Intimidation Tactics Continue on Technorati
Video: Thumbnail of Barack Obama won''t Hoodwinked of Bamboozled by John McCain; Video: Thumbnail of Barack Obama''s Intimidation Tactics Continue ...
technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DKWjz-Z_UdsY - 27k - Cached - Similar pages

NOW we know why the media is so biased!

http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DKWjz-Z_UdsY
Reply to this comment
by vjenkins13 November 2, 2008 4:07 AM EST
The Widow''''''''s Mite

It is both interesting and sad that Obama''''''''s aunt lives in U.S. government housing and has given sacrificially to her nephew''''''''s campaign - in $5 increments to the maximum amount allowed. Yet he, in turn, has done nothing for her.

Isn''''''''t this akin to the story of the Widow''''''''s mite ... who gave her last penny for someone she believed in on the faith that something good would come of her sacrifice - not just to her, but especially for others?

In the case of Obama''''''''s aunt, she gave with the expectation of receiving nothing in the material sense. Yet in return she was betrayed by her own love for her own blood with rapatious statements from her beloved nephew: "I didn''''''''t know that she was an illegal alien" . . . and " of course, the laws of the land should prevail with respect to her deportation."

Yeah. Right.

This man is a liar. This man is an extremist in every sense of the word. Every vote cast for Obama is the same as a bomb being detonated in the booth on November 4. Unfortunately the bomber isn''''''''t the only one being destroyed. Rather, every bomb detonated attacks the very core of our Democracy.

And while our country is strong enough to survive four years of an Obama presidency, the core has been cracked.

We can fall asleep on the job and not repair it, or we can work 24/7 over the next four years to make it stronger than it has ever been.

It''''''''s your choice.


Reply to this comment
by vjenkins13 November 2, 2008 4:05 AM EST
The Widow''''''''s Mite

It is both interesting and sad that Obama''''''''s aunt lives in U.S. government housing and has given sacrificially to her nephew''''''''s campaign - in $5 increments to the maximum amount allowed. Yet he, in turn, has done nothing for her.

Isn''''''''t this akin to the story of the Widow''''''''s mite ... who gave her last penny for someone she believed in on the faith that something good would come of her sacrifice - not just to her, but especially for others?

In the case of Obama''''''''s aunt, she gave with the expectation of receiving nothing in the material sense. Yet in return she was betrayed by her own love for her own blood with rapatious statements from her beloved nephew: "I didn''''''''t know that she was an illegal alien" . . . and " of course, the laws of the land should prevail with respect to her deportation."

Yeah. Right.

This man is a liar. This man is an extremist in every sense of the word. Every vote cast for Obama is the same as a bomb being detonated in the booth on November 4. Unfortunately the bomber isn''''''''t the only one being destroyed. Rather, every bomb detonated attacks the very core of our Democracy.

And while our country is strong enough to survive four years of an Obama presidency, the core has been cracked.

We can fall asleep on the job and not repair it, or we can work 24/7 over the next four years to make it stronger than it has ever been.

It''''''''s your choice.


Reply to this comment
by jw218389 November 2, 2008 2:44 AM EST
Raise taxes on "hard-working Americans????"

MILLIONAIRES ON PALM BEACH ISLAND ARE NOT HARD WORKING!!!!

If you make less than $500K (married) per household YOUR TAXES GO DOWN!!!

Reply to this comment
by solarrays247-2009 November 2, 2008 2:39 AM EST
Americans can thank President Reagan for dramatically reducing tax rates to Americans. Now, we want a candidate in Senator Obama who wants to spread the wealth by increasing taxes for hard working Americans.
--------------------
I guess you failed to notice that under your hero Reagan, tax rates were up to 50%. Obama proposes a max of 39%.

So what''''s your problem again?

Posted by mydogdylan6 at 11:30 PM : Nov 01, 2008

In case no one has noticed, we, the taxpayers (except for Joe the Plumber who owed back taxes), but we the taxpayers will be paying for the $700 billion welfare bailout act for Wall Street and our financial institutions regardless who wins this election! This is "spreading the wealth" in a huge way, wouldn''t you agree? Oh, but this is different...this is welfare for the richest, and not help for the poor...correct?

And yes, I remember Reagan well! His trickle down theory never did work! And it was under his realm in 1984 that the movement for "deregulation" actually began. I know, because I was still involved on Wall Street at that time! Most of us realized it was a bad idea then...and it has been a disaster now!
Reply to this comment
by sher747 November 2, 2008 1:48 AM EST
I guess you failed to notice that under your hero Reagan, tax rates were up to 50%. Obama proposes a max of 39%.

So what''''s your problem again?
Posted by mydogdylan6 at 11:30 PM : Nov 01, 2008
--

Reagan brought tax down to 50% fom 70%. Later down to 28% that you enjoy now.

Obama is on reverse gear. Do you see the problem sir ?
Reply to this comment
by mydogdylan6 November 2, 2008 1:30 AM EST
Americans can thank President Reagan for dramatically reducing tax rates to Americans. Now, we want a candidate in Senator Obama who wants to spread the wealth by increasing taxes for hard working Americans.
--------------------
I guess you failed to notice that under your hero Reagan, tax rates were up to 50%. Obama proposes a max of 39%.

So what''s your problem again?
Reply to this comment
by sher747 November 2, 2008 12:55 AM EDT
chitown_639, cool pople don''t necessarily mean clean President. Look at the records of each. Obama is so lefty. What does Obama mean by "fundementally changing the country" ? I am quite plain and simple. Fundementally this country is against socialism and communism. Is that what Obama is going to change ?

If you libs have not figured, we will Vote for McCain not becuase he is smart and the best to be President but becuase the alternate (Obama) will DESTROY America for what it stands for.
Reply to this comment
by sher747 November 2, 2008 12:51 AM EDT
Hi Slownesday the YouTube guy ! McCain was not with Bush after Katrina. Stop lies about Bush and focus on your good Obama.

You are so nostalgic about Gitmo ! I am proud of that. Go figure what Obama was doing with Al Qaeda in 1981 in Pakistan. Why is Katie Couric not asking that question to Obama ?
Reply to this comment
by usnae2aw November 2, 2008 12:47 AM EDT
It is the moral responsibilty of everyone to do their share. Rich mens sons do not die in wars. why can''t the bush tax cuts for the wealthy be rolled back? I''m poor and didn''t have a whole lot of options, so i''m serving my country. By that reasoning wealthy people can do their share. If you''re not going to die for your country at least support those of us who are, and don''t mean just coming up to me saying thank you. Thank yous don''t take care of veterans taxes do.
Reply to this comment
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