Barack Obama is leading John McCain 47 percent to 41 percent with 4 percent choosing neither and 6 percent undecided, in a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll conducted July 18-21. The margin of error is 3.1 percent. Obama's lead is the same as it was in this poll last month.
Obama held his lead even though voters, by a 55 percent to 35 percent margin, said he was the riskier choice for President.
Rating the candidates by their qualities, voters picked Obama over McCain by significant margins as being: more likable, exhibiting more optimism and hope for the future, compassionate, and more likely to improve America's standing in world opinion. McCain bested Obama by double-digit numbers when it came to having strong leadership qualities needed by a president, the experience to handle the presidency and being a good commander-in-chief. The differences between them were in single digits when it came to being honest and straightforward, and being consistent in standing up for their beliefs.
Voters said setting a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq was a good idea by a 2-to-1 margin.
Obama voters are more excited about him that McCain supporters are about there candidate. Forty-four percent of Obama voters are excited and 33 percent satisfied, while 22 percent see him as the "lesser of two evils." McCain only excites 14 percent of his supporters while 42 percent are satisfied, and - keeping the question alive about how strongly the party has embraced him - 43 percent regard him as the lesser of two evils.
While we're on the subject of McCain and the excitement factor ...
![[RSS]](http://67.192.49.194/templates/images/rss_icon.gif){kind=icon}
Subscribe to RSS feed
Post A Comment