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WASHINGTON — Democrat Barack Obama's big national lead over Hillary Clinton has all but evaporated in the U.S. presidential race, and both Democrats trail Republican John McCain, according a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.
The poll showed Mr. Obama had only a statistically insignificant lead of 47 per cent to 44 per cent over Clinton, down sharply from a 14 point edge he held over her in February when he was riding the tide of 10 straight victories.
Illinois Senator Obama, who would be America's first black president, has been buffeted by attacks in recent weeks from New York Senator Clinton over his fitness to serve as commander-in-chief and by a tempest over racially charged sermons given by his Chicago preacher.
The poll showed Arizona Senator McCain, who has clinched the Republican presidential nomination, is benefiting from the lengthy campaign battle between Mr. Obama and Ms. Clinton, who are now battling to win Pennsylvania on April 22.
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Mr. McCain leads 46 per cent to 40 per cent in a hypothetical matchup against Mr. Obama in the November presidential election, according to the poll.
That is a sharp turnaround from the Reuters/Zogby poll from last month, which showed in a head-to-head matchup that Mr. Obama would beat Mr. McCain 47 per cent to 40 per cent.
"The last couple of weeks have taken a toll on Obama and in a general election match-up, on both Democrats," said pollster John Zogby.
Matched up against Ms. Clinton, Mr. McCain leads 48 per cent to 40 per cent, narrower than his 50 to 38 per cent advantage over her in February.
