Ohio: Clinton 51% Obama 37%

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Ohio: Clinton 51% Obama 37% rasmussenreports.com
Fri Feb 15, 10:28 AM ET

http://news.yahoo.com/s/rasmussen/20080215/pl_rasmussen/ohiodemprimary2008021420080215_1

New York Senator Hillary Clinton leads Illinois Senator Barack Obama by fourteen percentage points in the latest Rasmussen Reports poll of the Ohio Democratic Presidential Primary. Clinton currently earns 51% of the Buckeye State vote while Obama attracts 37%.

Clinton leads by seven points among men and eighteen points among women. She holds a solid lead among voters over 50.

In Ohio, Clinton is viewed favorably by 81%, Obama by 71%.

Seventy-eight percent (78%) of Likely Democratic Primary Voters say that Clinton would be at least somewhat likely to win the White House if nominated. Seventy-six percent (76%) say the same about Obama.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of Ohio voters name the economy as the top voting issue. Eighteen percent (18%) say it's the War in Iraq while 13% name Health Care issues as the top priority.

Ohio is one of two states that the Clinton campaign and many outside experts have deemed essential for the former First Lady to win is she is to have a chance of winning the Democratic Presidential nomination. Texas, which also votes on March 4, is the other. To improve her chances in these states, Clinton is hoping for a strong showing in Wisconsin where new polling data shows the race to be quite competitive.

In a stunning turn of events, the woman who was considered by many to be the inevitable nominee when the campaign season began now trails Obama nationally in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. Rasmussen Markets data suggests that Obama is now strongly favored to win the nomination. Recent state polls in Colorado and New Hampshire show that Obama performs better in general election match-ups against McCain. However, a recent Rasmussen Reports analysis suggests there is more to the question of which Democrat might fare better against McCain in the general election.

Rasmussen Markets data immediately prior to the release of this polling data showed the race in Ohio to be a toss-up (current prices: Obama 44.9 % Clinton 61.0 % . Overall, in the race for the nomination, Obama is given a 69.1 % chance to win while expectations for a Clinton victory are at 29.3 %. Numbers in this paragraph are from a prediction market, not a poll. Using a trading format where traders "buy and sell" candidates, issues, and news features, the Rasmussen harness competitive passions to provide a reliable leading indicator of upcoming events. We invite you to participate in the Rasmussen Markets. It costs nothing to join and add your voice to the collective wisdom of the market.

Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.