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Obama Pulls Ahead of McCain by 8 Points

Likely nominee now has majority of pledged delegates

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 21, 2008 8:12 AM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama, who claimed a majority of pledged delegates last night after his win in the Oregon primary, has opened up an 8-point lead over John McCain in national polling, reports Reuters. Obama, who was tied with McCain in the Reuters/Zogby poll a month ago, also doubled, to 26 points, his lead over Hillary Clinton among Democrats. In a Clinton-McCain matchup, the two candidates are at level pegging.

Obama outpolled McCain 48% to 39% on the key issue of economic competence, which McCain led by 3 points last month. The Illinois senator also leads among independents and some demographics that he has struggled with in the primary: Catholics, Jews, union households, and the working class. McCain led among whites, NASCAR fans, and voters over 65.

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., arrives for a rally in Des Monies, Iowa, Tuesday, May 20, 2008, with his wife michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia, second from left.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., arrives for a rally in Des Monies, Iowa, Tuesday, May 20, 2008, with his wife michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia, second from left.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa, where Obama declared himself within reach of the Democratic nomination.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa, where Obama declared himself "within reach" of the Democratic nomination.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Barack Obama and his wife Michelle appear together on stage at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Barack Obama and his wife Michelle appear together on stage at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Barack Obama acknowledges the crowd after he speaks at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa, where he declared himself within reach of the Democratic nomination.
Barack Obama acknowledges the crowd after he speaks at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa, where he declared himself "within reach" of the Democratic nomination.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Supporters of presidential hopeful Barack Obama celebrate his projected win in the Oregon Primary at campaign headquarters in Portland, Ore., Tuesday May 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)
Supporters of presidential hopeful Barack Obama celebrate his projected win in the Oregon Primary at campaign headquarters in Portland, Ore., Tuesday May 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)   (AP Photo)
Barack Obama speaks at a rally in Des Monies, Iowa, Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
Barack Obama speaks at a rally in Des Monies, Iowa, Tuesday, May 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waves to the audience with wife Michelle at a rally in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waves to the audience with wife Michelle at a rally in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday, May 20, 2008   (AP Photo/Kevin Sanders)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia, 9, and Sasha, 6, join together on stage at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia, 9, and Sasha, 6, join together on stage at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
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