CLINTON LEADS IN TODAY'S FIELD POLL

Clinton leads in today’s Field Poll

By Lisa Vorderbrueggen
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 at 3:28 pm in 2008 presidential primary.

Today’s California Field Poll shows Hillary Clinton with a 12 percentage point lead over Barack Obama two weeks prior to the state’s Feb. 5 primary election. Pollsters say voters believe Clinton possesses superior experience and has the best chance to win in November against the Republican nominee.

Here’s an excerpt of the poll memo by pollsters Mark DiCamillo and Marvin Field:

Hillary Clinton’s lead over Barack Obama in California now stands at 12 percentage points - 39% to 27%, with 14% preferring other candidates and a relatively large proportion (20%) of likely voters undecided.

Clinton’s lead is largest among women, Latinos, lower income voters, non-college graduates, and seniors. Conversely, Obama is preferred among blacks, college graduates and Democratic primary voters with household incomes of $80,000 or more. Clinton and Obama run about even among men, liberals, and white non-Hispanics.

Both of the leading candidates are viewed by likely Democratic primary voters in a very positive light. Yet, Clinton is perceived by voters as holding a big advantage over Obama as being the candidate with the right experience and who has the best chance of winning in the November general election. Obama, on the other hand, is viewed by more voters as being the candidate who best represents change.

Click here to read the full Field Poll release.

Click here to read the full San Jose Mercury News story on the poll.

Photos taken from the congressional web sites of Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, and Barack Obama, D-Ill.