Seven point lead for Obama ahead of Iowa caucus
2 01 2008
2008 got off to a good start for Senator Barack Obama. A new poll carried out for the Des Moines Register of Democrat caucus voters in Iowa, published on New Years Day, showed Obama leading by 7 points over Senator Hillary Clinton, after a string of polls had suggested it would be a dead heat in the state between Obama, Clinton and former Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards.
Obama polled 32 % whilst Clinton trailed on 25%, with Edwards on 24% in the poll. A 7 point lead will provide encouragement to the Obama camp as it is large enough to account for the poll’s sampling error of plus or minus 3.5%.
However, 6% of those surveyed said they were undecided or uncommitted, and approximately a third of those polled said they may change their minds before the caucus vote on Thursday, suggesting there is still all to play for.
The Iowa caucus is the first test for those seeking the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination for the U.S presidential election in November.
UPDATE: TMP sources in Iowa indicate that turnout is likely to be high with many previously politically apathetic voters likely to take part in the caucus and attending candidate rallies.
