http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/NEWS15/308210001/1215
Michigan – Independents, women and Wayne County voters helped boost Democrat Barack Obama to a 7-point lead over Republican John McCain in the presidential race in Michigan, according to a Detroit Free Press-Local 4 Michigan Poll conducted this week.
Obama's 46% to 39% statewide advantage is especially aided by a 39-point bulge among voters in Wayne County, including Detroit.
Elsewhere in metro Detroit and outstate, Sens. McCain and Obama are virtually tied, according to the poll of 600 likely voters. Twelve percent are undecided and 3% support third-party candidates.
Obama has significantly more support among voters younger than 35 and an 11-point lead among women statewide. Among men, the two candidates are virtually tied.
Several other recent polls had shown the race tightening in Michigan, which is among a half dozen or so battleground states expected to decide the presidential race. The state has 17 electoral votes.
Still, the numbers could move. Nearly one-third -- 31% -- of those polled said they could be persuaded to change their minds by Election Day Nov. 4.
Perhaps most striking is Obama's 17-point edge among independent voters -- a bloc McCain has cultivated since he first ran for president in 2000. Most experts say independents will decide this year's race because both candidates have strong support from core voters in their respective parties.
The poll shows the economy is by far the most important issue to voters -- 50% ranked it tops -- followed distantly by the war in Iraq, gas and oil prices and health care. And the poll showed Michiganders think Obama is slightly better equipped to help solve economic issues that have wrought havoc in Michigan. Social issues such as abortion and gay marriage were top issues for only 10% of those polled.
http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/new_mexico/election_2008_new_mexico_presidential_election
New Mexico – While John McCain has gained ground on Barack Obama in a number of states over the past month, little has changed in New Mexico.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey shows Obama ahead 47% to McCain's 41%. A month ago, it was Obama by five percentage points. The stability of the race is emphasized by the fact that Obama’s support has been at 46% or 47% of the vote in three straight surveys. McCain has been at 41% for three of the past four months. Both candidates are viewed favorably by 56% of the state’s voters. Last month, both were viewed favorably by 57%.
When “leaners” are included in the current New Mexico totals, it’s Obama 48%, McCain 44%. Leaners are those who don’t initially express a preference for one of the major candidates. But, when asked a follow-up question, they do.
McCain is supported by 93% of Republicans while Obama earns the vote from 80% of Democrats. The Democrat has a very slight edge among unaffiliated voters. McCain enjoys a modest advantage among white voters while Obama has a 19-point lead among Hispanics.
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