Some top-line observations culled from Chuck Todd's writeup:

  • Clinton's approval ratings is just 37% (48 disapprove), her lowest since 2001
  • Obama's approval rating is 49% (32% disapprove)
  • The head-to-head matchups were essentially tied, 45-45 for Obama-Clinton, and Obama +2 against McCain, Clinton -2 against McCain

Todd concludes with some very good news for Obama (in the context of tough news for the party as a whole):

One thing about these head-to-head matchups: Our pollsters found that for the second poll in a row, more than 20 percent of Clinton and Obama supporters say they would support McCain when he's matched up against the other Democrat. There is clearly some hardening of feelings among some of the most core supporters of both Democrats, though it may be Obama voters, who are more bitter in the long run.

Why? Because among Obama voters, Clinton has a net-negative personal rating (35-43) while Clinton voters have a net-positive view of Obama (50-29). Taken together, this appears to be evidence that Obama, initially, should have the easier time uniting the party than Clinton.

Considering the doom-and-gloom some predicted for Obama with regard to the Wright controversy, the overall tenor of the electorate appears to still be favorable for him.

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