Poll: Clinton leads, but Obama gains

April 15, 2008 Although he is closing the gap, Hillary Clinton is still ahead by 6 percentage points.

Just a week before the Pennsylvania primary, 46 percent of likely voters say they'll vote for Clinton and 40 percent say they're for Obama.

Back in March, Clinton had a slightly bigger edge, with 49 percent siding with the Senator from New York and 40 percent preferring the Illinois Senator.

Here's a breakdown:

Clinton has a ten-point advantage among women while men split their vote evenly.

Clinton also continues to do well among older voters, voters with a high school education or less and Catholics.

Non-whites, college degree voters and younger voters have aligned themselves with Obama.

It is difficult for any candidate to have widespread appeal in Pennsylvania because of regional differences. That is reflected in this election poll.

Clinton leads throughout Western Pennsylvania while Obama fairs better in the eastern half of the state, particularly the Southeast.

"Obama is also winning the Philadelphia suburbs and it is there where he has shown his biggest gain from March to April," said political analyst Terry Madonna. "If Obama has any chance to defeat Clinton, the Philadelphia suburbs are key to accomplishing that."

The economy is the dominant issue for Democratic primary voters. Forty-three percent say it is issue number 1, which is up from 29 percent in January.

The war in Iraq is a key issue for 23 percent of likely voters.

There has been a significant increase in the number of Democrats in Pennsylvania since November. Sixty-two percent of new Democratic registrants say they'll vote for Obama.

A few months ago, the media was criticized for not being tough enough on Obama. That rings true with 39 percent of Democrats, and only 5 percent feel the media has been harder on Obama.

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