New poll shows Clinton-Obama tie, McCain´s lead

Source: Xinhua | 02-04-2008 07:45

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Democratic contest for presidential nominee was still in tie between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, and Republican race was led by John McCain, according to a poll released on Sunday.

Democratic presidential candidates Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton pose for photographers prior to the CNN/Los Angeles Times Democratic presidential  debate in Hollywood, California Jan. 31, 2008.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The Washington-Post-ABC News poll shows that Clinton, New York Senator, slightly led Illinois Senator Barack Obama by 47 percent to 43 percent.

The sample of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

When asked who is more likely to win the general election, 47 percent of Democratic voters said Clinton is the most electable, and 42 percent said Obama has better chance.

The result shows that the share of John Edwards' support was almost untapped after the former North Carolina Senator pulled out of the race.

On Republican side, the Arizona Senator has widened his lead over former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney by 48 percent to 24 percent.

Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain speaks to reporters on his bus on his way to a campaign rally in Fairfield, Connecticut, Feb. 3, 2008.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is at the distant third with 16 percent, while Texas representative Ron Paul is in the single-digits at 7 percent.

In a hypothetical general-election matchups, both two Democratic candidates can run neck and neck with McCain, while both can beat Romney.

The poll was conducted by telephone from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, days before "Super Tuesday," when a total 24 states would cast ballots for the parties' presidential candidate.