A Zogby/Reuters poll published this morning continues to point to a close race for the Whitehouse between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.
According to the poll, McCain now leads Obama 46% to 41% amongst likely voters, as opposed to the same poll which last month showed Obama leading by 7%.
The poll - the results of which can be viewed in detail here - makes for interesting reading:
- Over the past month, McCain's support has increased by 6% whilst Obama's has fallen by 6%. Crucially, however, neither candidate has managed to tap into the 13% of voters who describe themselves as "undecided" - this figure remains unchanged from last month.
- Obama's support has decreased amongst all social categories, most markedly amongst under thirty-fives (-12%), Catholics (-11%), university graduates (-11%), southerners (-11%) and those living in cities (-11%).
- Obama continues to lead McCain 52% to 40% amongst voters aged 18 to 29 despite slipping 12% in this age-group over the past thirty days.
- McCain now holds a 9% lead amongst those who list the economy as their top concern, as opposed to a 4% lead Obama lead amongst this group last month.
- McCain has the support of 81% of self-proclaimed Republicans with Barack Obama picking up 74% of the Democratic votes.
Commenting on the poll, John Zogby said:
“Since Obama returned from his overseas trip, it seems like McCain has thrown all the punches. Clearly, the blows have landed. In recent days, Obama is fighting back, going after McCain on the economy, the issue voters care about most. McCain has changed the dynamic of the race heading into the two conventions. That puts more pressure on Obama to go to Denver and effectively define himself and McCain.”
