 Barack Obama: Reportedly leads in Michigan
Democrat Barack Obama is in advantageous position. According to a new poll report he has one point lead over John McCain, the Republican leader in Michigan thereby setting a 6 week sprint that would decide the winner of White House battle.
Reporters have thrown more light on the news of Barack Obama. The survey conducted by EPIC-MRA, released exclusively to various television channels of United States namely The Detroit News, WXYZ-Action News and out state television stations WOOD, WILK and WJRT. It depicts that Barack Obama leads John McCain by 43 to 42 percent. Another 10 % of voters are still undecided. Also third-party candidates Bob Barr and Ralph Nader are at 2 percent each. When voters are presented with the full presidential tickets, including running mates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, the Democrats lead by 45 to 42 percent.
The survey of 602 likely voters was organized from Sunday to Wednesday, amidst the Wall Street turmoil that has taken a stroll on the economy and the presidential race. It has an error margin of 4 percentage points.
As the head-to-head and full-ticket match ups show, the survey provides little evidence that Sarah Palin, the Alaska governor, whose surprise selection has dominated over the coverage of the campaign much of the last month, is having an impact on Michigan voters.
About 1 in 4 voters said that the selection of Sarah Palin has made them more likely to vote for John McCain. However an equal percentage of people said that they were less likely to support the ticket with her on it. Although McCain's performance with female voters actually slipped from EPIC-MRA's August poll; he remained close by improving his standing with men.
Interviews with some of people gave the indication that weeks of tough media coverage are taking a toll on Palin.
Both campaigns have aired millions of dollars in television advertising in Michigan, and set up big campaign organizations. Barck Obama’s supporters have acknowledged that the road to the White House would be very tough without Michigan in the Democratic column. Republicans also have the hope that breaking Democratic dominance would secure a victory of John McCain.
Each side found reason for optimism in the survey.
According to a spokesperson of Barack Obama , Brent Colburn the campaigners remain confident that it is reaching the state's voters.
"Michigan voters are taking a hard look at both candidates, and they are seeing that Barack Obama is offering real economic solutions, while John McCain stands by the failed Bush policies we've been saddled with for the last eight years," added Colburn.
When being asked for the main reason they support Barack Obama, forty one percent of his supporters cited his ability to bring about change, by far the most common response. McCain voters were more divided in their responses, but thirty nine percent cited either his overall stances on issues or his conservatism.
About one in 4 McCain voters added that they oppose Barack Obama because of his lack of experience. For Barack Obama voters, 41 percent said that John McCain represents more of the same Bush policies.  |