Mar 13, 2007 9:05 pm US/Eastern
Clinton Has Slim Lead Over Obama In Exclusive Poll
by Jon Keller
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
There's a new snapshot in the race for the White House. WBZ has teamed with Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire for a series of 10 polls before the first in the nation primary.
The first survey focuses on the Democratic candidates for president.
New Hampshire has been Clinton country for years, and Sen. Hillary Clinton was racking up big leads there in previous polls -- until now.
The shows Hillary clinging to a slim seven-point margin over Sen. Barack Obama. John Edwards, the 2004 vice-presidential nominee, is a strong third with 16 percent. And look who's in double-digits for the first time -- former Vice-president Al Gore. Is this more than just a post-Oscar boomlet for the 2000 popular-vote winner?
"I think this is a genuine phenomenon," said R. Kelly Myers of Franklin Pierce College. "Al Gore is a well-known political figure in the state and this reflects his deep and strong standing with democratic voters."
But for now, it's Obama-mania that's breathing down Hillary's neck. "He's got a lot of excitement among liberal voters, he's got a lot of excitement among young voters, if he's able to shore up support with those groups I think he can run a viable race here," said Kelly.
But Hillary-lovers can take heart in our poll findings as well. Despite months of heat for her past support of the war in Iraq, her favorability remains high, and her unfavorable rating is comparable to that of her opponents.
If you thought the New Hampshire Primary was going to be a cakewalk for Hillary Clinton, then our poll may be disappointing, but it really shouldn't be. Even as some voters flirt with others, the fact remains that Sen. Clinton is still the leader of the pack.
Poll numbers on the Republican candidates, including former Gov. Mitt Romney will be released on Wednesday.
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