Poll: Obama, McCain Tied in Ohio, Florida; Obama Leads in Pa.
Thursday, July 31, 2008 6:30 AM
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The presidential race in Florida:
Barack Obama, 46 percent
John McCain, 44 percent
Independent voters in the state have shifted toward McCain - 46 percent support him compared with 41 percent who prefer Obama. In the same poll taken last month, Obama led among independents, 47 percent to 37 percent. White voters prefer McCain, 53 percent to 39 percent. Black voters overwhelmingly favor Obama, 89 percent to 2 percent.
When it comes to addressing the nation's energy woes, six in 10 respondents back President Bush's call for more offshore drilling and want Congress to go along.
Obama has opposed lifting a moratorium that blocks energy development in 80 percent of the country's coastal waters. He proposes that oil companies be required to use existing drilling leases or pay a fee. McCain supported the moratorium in the past, but last month called for lifting it.
Floridians also back drilling for oil in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, 53 percent to 42 percent. Both Obama and McCain oppose oil drilling there.
Respondents are split over who has the best energy policy _ 34 percent of likely Florida voters say Obama and 32 percent say McCain. Thirty-four percent are undecided.
The presidential race in Ohio
Barack Obama, 46 percent
John McCain, 44 percent
Obama had a 6 percentage-point lead in the same poll taken last month. Both men and women are closely split in their support of either candidate. When it comes to their pick for first lady, respondents preferred Cindy McCain to Michelle Obama by 6 points, 33 percent to 27 percent.
Most Ohio voters back drilling for oil in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, 55 percent to 40 percent. Neither candidate's energy plan has an advantage with the voters. Thirty-four percent support Obama's policy, 33 percent favor McCain's and 33 percent are undecided.
The presidential race in Pennsylvania
Barack Obama, 49 percent
John McCain, 42 percent
Obama's lead in the state has narrowed. The same poll taken last month showed him ahead of McCain, 52 percent to 40 percent. Women favor the Democrat by 11 points, 50 percent to 39 percent. Obama has a 4-point lead among men. White voters are divided, with 46 percent for McCain and 45 percent for Obama. More Pennsylvania voters support drilling for oil in the Alaskan refuge, 55 to 41 percent. More respondents also say Obama has a better energy policy than McCain, 36 percent to 30 percent.
The Quinnipiac University polls were conducted from July 23-29. They involved telephone interviews with 1,248 likely Florida voters, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points; 1,229 likely Ohio voters, with a 2.8 point margin of sampling error; and 1,317 likely Pennsylvania voters with a 2.7 point margin of sampling error.
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