The Political Chase

Quote of the Day

"We need a nominee who will take on John McCain, not cheer on John McCain, and I will be that nominee"

- - Hillary Clinton

Poll: Clinton still leading in PA

The MSNBC/McClatchy/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette poll released earlier today has Clinton with a five-point lead over Obama in Pennsylvania.

First Read:

The poll of 625 likely Dem primary voters was conducted Thursday and Friday and showed Clinton leading Obama 48-43%. Considering the 4% margin of error, it means Clinton’s lead is inside the margin.

Still, the poll is consistent with what the campaigns and other reputable polls have been showing and that is Clinton getting close to 50% and Obama struggling to climb over 45%.

Pollster’s average has Clinton at 47.4 percent and Obama at 42.3 percent (new poll not included).

On a side note, today’s rhetoric has been heated, to put it mildly.

Gallup Daily: Clinton, Obama in statistical tie

Yesterday, Hillary Clinton had a one-point lead (46-45) over Barack Obama in the Gallup Daily tracking poll (margin: +/-3). In today’s poll, Barack Obama has a two-point lead (47-45, margin: +/-2). Undecided voters were 8 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

Whatever one’s perspective may be, there is probably a poll that can readily found to accommodate it. Hence, the importance of looking at the average of the polls. Real Clear Politics’ average, which includes today’s Gallup Daily, has Obama leading Clinton with 49.2 and 40.7, respectively.

Click image to enlarge

More Clinton, Obama ads in PA

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama released more new ads in Pennsylvania today — the production studios must be loving it.

The first ad is Clinton’s. The announcer says, “[Obama] couldn’t answer tough questions in the debate, so Barack Obama is making false charges against Hillary Clinton’s health care plan.” Continuing, the ad then claims “Obama’s health care plan costs $1,700 MORE to cover each new person.”

It begs the question, more than what? And what is “new” relative to?

The second ad, “Exactly” is Obama’s. It is in response to a Clinton ad I have not seen yet (will post if I find it). Based on Obama’s ad, Clinton must have released an ad “in the eleventh hour” that claims Obama has taken money from PACs and/or lobbyists. That would be a false claim, with the possible exception of $250. The announcer refutes the claim and then rolls a long list of contributions Clinton has received from PACs and lobbyists, which is in fact true. Clinton has received at least $1.16 million from PACs alone. from just PACs.

“Exactly” also claims Clinton has received more money from PACs and lobbyists than any candidate in “either party.” That is true, at least from reviewing McCain’s records. I did not take the time to check all the other candidates (GOP or Democratic).

The ad closes with “Eleventh hour smears, paid for by lobbyists.”