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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Poll: Clinton regains national lead

Posted: Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:45 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
Hillary Clinton has regained the national lead, 46%-45%, over Obama, according to the Gallup Tracking poll. Clinton had been down by 11 points less than a week ago. This is the first time Clinton has led in the poll since March 20.

The general-election match up has seen no change. Clinton leads McCain 46%-44%, and Obama leads McCain 45%-44%. The poll was conducted from April 16-18, after the Philadelphia debate.

Another poll, however, shows a much different picture with Obama leading Clinton among Democrats nationally by a whopping 19 points. Newsweek shows Obama with a 54%-35% lead. The two were deadlocked in the prior Newsweek poll, taken right after the Texas-Ohio primaries. The poll was conducted by Princeton Survey Research from April 16-17 -- also after the debate.

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Take that Obambi, your time is comming. HRC 2008
That's right baby!!  We're finally seeing the effects in the polls of Obama's Small Town comments and his poor debate performance!!

Go Hillary
You people and your poles. You don't know what you are talking about half the time. Poles don't really count the real vote does!
Obama does not have the skills or the message to close the deal. This is a key element for anyone that wants to be president, and he doesn't have it. The man is big on giving speeches and short on practical skills. He'd make a poor president.
pols apart
Well thats great. Now either side can point to a poll and say they are winning. That is going to really help the dems come together (<== Sarcasm)
The time has come for the remaining voters to make a very important decision for the rest of the country - whether to vote for competence, experience and solutions or not. Do we need a "rockstar" politician or a politician who knows how to get things done? I hope the voters will look carefully at the two and ask yourself who is best qualified to get America back on track.  If you really do the research, the answer will be clear.  It's Hillary Clinton.
Gallup is better poll but still I think we have to be careful of polls at all.People are realizing ,I think, they dont owe pollsters anything cause they are so wrong a lot anyway.I am thinking polls are rigged to change th evote.This is a s wrong as media trying to slant vote. We will see. Glad to see McCain behind anyway
Not really much of a surprise. As we continue to see the real Obama, we like him less and less. The man is a charade, nothing more then a candidate manufactured by the media. He talks a lot about change, but in the end looks to be the same as anyone else in Washington. He's owned as much by special interests (Soros in this case) as anyone else.
Given two polls with widely differing results, is the chosen headline revealing?
Is this the same Newsweak that is in the backpocket of the Obama campaign?
the Gallup tracking poll registers little blips whereas newsweek is a more steady view.  There is slight movement toward obama in PA today, and if that continues tomorrow than Clinton will probably freak out and self destruct Monday.
Chuck, Who might that DNC member be who has switched from HC to 'uncommitted'?  I'm sure it isn't Donna Brazil who helped map out Obama's success by helping Howard Dean and one other black member change the Primary schedule to the most unenclusive (and possibly illegal) caucus states as well as the high black voter registration states to be early birds in the Primary election schedule.  As far as that Newsweek poll - like your group, they are so in the tank for BO, they have lost all credibility as a news organization. The only person at Newsweek I ever think of is Jonathan Alter who got so many negative responses to his article on 'HC should drop out' BEFORE Texas & Ohio!  It was something like 114,000 responders at the time I responded which nearly crashed my computer when they all came up.  What a joke he is as well as the political reporting.  So no one is worried about NW.  I am infuriated that BO has been given all this on a silver platter because and ONLY because he is a well-spoken, educated black man.  Apparently white men, as well, would rather have a black man than a woman.  Every female in this country should be ready to march in the streets that men prefer a much less knowledgeable, newcomer (calling him "change") that could keep another black candidate from winning for decades.  It is not that they don't think she can handle it, it is because she reminds them of their ex-wife, mother-in-law, or mother in some cases.  They apparently see it as humiliating and "demasculating".  So, young women, you can go to the polls with tears in your eyes that you are supporting a 'black' man, but I hope you will remember this when you or your daughters and granddaughters can't get ahead in their career, have many less rights as a woman, knowing that you are considered less than black men.  Remember, black men got the right to vote before women did!  Keep helping these men put you in the back of the bus.  You will have to re-fight the women's movement and you can have it.  My generation of women did a great deal for you that you apparently could care less about.    
Obama patronizes people more then Hillary ever has. He is really turning into a joke of a candidate. Voters see this, and are switching back to Hillary.
The Clintons have already self-destructed.  I just hope Pennsylvania convinces them that it's over.
Obama cannot win the GE.

It's very telling that every liberal and/or anti-American group and individual loves Obama: Move On, Jeremiah Wright, Meek, Farrakhan, Bill Ayers. Vote Hate in '08. Vote Obama.
I WONDER HOW HILLARY ROVE CLINTON AND JOHN RECKLESSLY DISHONEST MCCAIN ARE GOING TO SPIN THIS ONE?
To Sue in LA.  Poll is not spelt Pole
So.
The MSM cannot be trusted with anything but stiring up haterd and discontent.  It would appear as though the ghost of William Hurst from the lead up to the war with Spain is alive and well today.
We will see waht we'll see when June 4th rolls around.
"On Tuesday, we all have a chance to vote," Carney says in the ad. "We can vote with our heads. We can vote with our hearts. We can vote for change or we can vote for experience. But whatever your choice, the right choice is to vote. It's our most precious right as Americans."

PA Prediction: Clinton 53 Obama 45
You would think the story would start with the nearly twenty point Obama lead rather than the statistically insignificant Clinton lead. Especially considering Newsweek's polling has been consistently more accurate than Gallup's very faulty results this campaign
This week The Patriot News here in Harrisburg, Central PA endorsed Obama. That could indicate some change in thinking in the center of the State. Also Henninger of Wall Street Journal writes about the faith forum that took place here at Messiah College last Sunday. He feels that the faith issue has been solidly appropriated by the Democrats and is no longer the purview of Republicans. For Obama supporters like myself the latest national polls are worrying. I would like to believe the Princeton poll but I fear the Gallup is correct. Hermine in Middletown PA
Sue in LA, it's "Polls", not "Poles". Poles are something you dance on.
That's funny b/c RCP shows Obama leading on an avg of 7.7+ nationally.
Another misleading story by Hilldebeasts henchmen. Nice going Domenico....keep putting "hope" in her supporters minds. They seem to need some.
Polls are changing, undecided voters tend to go for Hillary. Gooooooooooo Hillary.
The rest of the world favours Obama above Clinton.  And most of the people who will be most affected by the result do not have a vote.  I would ask that the American people look at what the world thinks because people all over the planet continue to suffer because of US foreign policy.
The only reason Hillary negatives are not lower is becasue Obama has not brought up her scandals.  If we had to hear about thoes everyday, like we do his, as the new candidate,  they story would be differnt.  The Superdelegates know, and at this point thats all that matters.

By the Way Rasm still shows Obama up also
Hillary voters are delusional and nasty with poor hygiene.
WHY HASN'T ANY OF THE MEDIA RAISED CAIN ABOUT OBAMA FLIPPING HILLARY OFF??? IT IS DONE VERY VERY SURREPTIOUSLY....USING HIS MIDDLE FINGER SUPPOSEDLY TO FLICK A FLY OFF HIS EYE????!!!!!
OBAMA IS AN ABOMNATION
AN APOLOGY TO THE AUGUST OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY.
PENNSYLVANIANS DO NOT ALLOW THIS CHARLATAN TO PULL THE WOOL AROUND YOUR EYES.
THE POLLS ARE VERY MISLEADING.
I PREDICT HILLARY WINNING PENNSYLVANIA BY A GOOD 11 TO 14 POINTS.
WATCH!!!
Sneak preview: George S. "grills" McCain tomorrow....

http://therealmccain.com/interview/?utm_source=rgemail

"Is this the same Newsweak that is in the backpocket of the Obama campaign?" --Miss Henderson

no, it's the other one, Newsweek
WHY HASN'T ANY OF THE MEDIA RAISED CAIN ABOUT OBAMA FLIPPING HILLARY OFF??? IT IS DONE VERY VERY SURREPTIOUSLY....USING HIS MIDDLE FINGER SUPPOSEDLY TO FLICK A FLY OFF HIS EYE????!!!!!
OBAMA IS AN ABOMNATION
AN APOLOGY TO THE AUGUST OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY.
PENNSYLVANIANS DO NOT ALLOW THIS CHARLATAN TO PULL THE WOOL AROUND YOUR EYES.
THE POLLS ARE VERY MISLEADING.
I PREDICT HILLARY WINNING PENNSYLVANIA BY A GOOD 11 TO 14 POINTS.
WATCH!!!
Looks like the chickens are coming home to roost!
http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Just wait until the Republicans swift boat Obama this fall on live birth abortions and the hand gun ban.
GO HILLARY, ITS about time people see the real deal. The best qualified candidate for the job.

Hillary 08m
Monique: I'll take the "rock star," thanks.
say what u want about Obama, the numbers dont lie, he is in the lead in delegates, states and popular vote so someones voting for him...I guess u all arent really bitter and dislike people that arent like u..or use wedge issues of race, guns and religion to make ur decisions. they are the same on the issues..why is there so much hate. try to be for hillary is u are and not against barack, thats positive. u all should read "the secret". attention goes where energy flows..keep giving him that energy and watch him rise..
Just wait until Tuseday then we will all know
Wishful thinking about the Newsweek poll... It is a oddball "snapshot" whereas the Gallup is a DAILY tracking poll which is comparable to the Rasmussen Reports DAILY poll which also has Obama "dropping"... from a 9 point lead less than a week ago to only 2 point advantage over Hillary today.

Hillary wins in PA by no more than 5 points, makes out it is a large victory.  Use ALL your balloons and hoopla Hillary. SAY...did anyone even notice her "behind closed door moments?"  Well not MSNBC or CNN, like last weekend who ran ad nauseum on Obama. Never mind, it's over soon - Go Barack Go!
If you believe that she is ahead or even, I have a bridge to sell.
the question before us is......how many people lie
to pollsters....THE POLSTER HAS YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER....DO YOU TELL THEM  THE TRUTH  OR DO YOU
PLAY THEM.....THINK ABOUT IT  

CLEM   PHILLY..
Hillary gets caught in another lie, this time on NAFTA

At a recent campaign stop in Pennsylvannia, Hillary insisted that, "I did speak out and oppose NAFTA". I raised a big yellow flag and said, "I don't think this will work."

According to documents released by the National Archives, Hillary in 1993 attended at least 5 meetings that were used to win approval of NAFTA by Congress   and these documents detailed her role in promoting NAFTA while she was first lady.

Teamsters union President James P. Hoffa told The Associated Press recently that, "No one who was around in the time of NAFTA remembers her" opposing the agreement.
Note also that the Zogby polling (although showing a tight race) in Pennsylvania reveals a trend where Hillary is gaining. In other words, Obama is losing ground.
Oh come on.  So Gallup poll shows Hillary with a 1% point lead over Barack, and Newsweek shows him with a 19% lead over her.  Sorry, but that averages into a lead for Barack anyway you spin it. She's done you guys.  Her lead in PA is down to 4$ points and even her own staff this morning are just HOPING for a win there.  It's over.  A 4 point difference means an even split in the awarded delegates coming out of PA. On top of that, she will lose NC by quite a bit, meaning Barack WILL have a net gain in delegates. And maybe she'll pull off a small win in IN, but again, he'll end up having a net gain in delegates over her once all three states are summarized-NC alone will guarantee that.  She's going to actually come out of these three primaries further behind in the delegate count than where she is now.  Just do the math and quit with all of this.  We've got to get the Republicans out of office people.  No more war, no more horrible international relations, no more joblessness, lack of healthcare, foreclosures, astronomical student loans, etc!!

Yes, Hillary had the better plan for getting us to where we need to be and she is most defintely the more expereinced candidate.  But the people chose Barack, there's nothing more that she can do. Hopefully they'll join together and give us the dream ticket:  Obama/Clinton!!!!
Puh-leaze enough already.  Go home Hillary. You lost.   Everyone hates you and you are ruining our chances in November.  Oh wait, I forgot...this is about YOU in 2012 isn't it?
If Obama doesn't have the skills to close the deal, then what does Hillary have since Obama will win the nomination.
Pools will always change. Next Obama, next Hillary, next McWar, next Obama, next Hilliar, next Obama, and again next Hilliar.
What? Polls really are screwed up. How many tiems did Obama regain the lead and Hillary lose the lead?
Hi Geoff,
I used to think Hillary would freak out and self destruct...not now.  Her type causes everyone else to freak out and self destruct while they go on their clueless way.  She'll be in it till the convention and then through arm twisting and blackmail will get the nomination.  I believed back in the days of the Kennedys and Reverend King.  Now all these years later I believed again in Obama.  But I suspect my believing, as then, will come to a bitter halt. Darkness will likely continue to rule.
Ok she up but this time last week she up by about the same amount .It seems Obama takes a lead and then by the end of the week Clinton regains it ,So who knows Rausmussun tracking says Obama by three so who knows


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