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Obama Brings Dems Historic White Support

Polls show 44% back Barack, most since Carter

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 25, 2008 8:55 AM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama has gained more support among whites than any Democrat since Jimmy Carter, Politico reports. Some 44% of non-Hispanic whites back the Illinois senator, Gallup and Pew polls over the last 2 weeks suggest; 47% supported Carter in 1976. In the same period John McCain has pulled between 48% and 50% of the white vote, the lowest for a Republican in a two-candidate election since Barry Goldwater.

Obama struggled to break 40% with white voters before the financial crisis. In September, he saw a surge, and last week jumped 5 points. Some 49% of white women say Obama would be better for the economy, compared to 35% for McCain; among white men, 43% choose McCain on the economy to 41% for Obama. Polling also shows that Obama's recent gains in North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida reflect increasing support of white voters.

Bill Clinton took 43% of white support in 1996.
Bill Clinton took 43% of white support in 1996.   (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. shakes hands at a rally Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. shakes hands at a rally Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Stephanie Bell, 24, listens to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. during a rally at the American Legion Mall in Indianapolis, Ind., Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.
Stephanie Bell, 24, listens to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. during a rally at the American Legion Mall in Indianapolis, Ind., Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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