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"Barack Obama leads presidential rival Hillary Rodham Clinton among North Carolina residents likely to support a Democratic candidate for president, according to a poll released Friday that reflects Obama's national campaign surge.
The Elon University poll shows that 45 percent of those surveyed this week support the Illinois senator, compared to 31 percent who support the New York senator and former first lady. About 22 percent of those surveyed week were undecided.
The results come less than three months before North Carolina's May 6 presidential primary. If the Democratic race remain close, the state's primary could play a significant role — for first time in 20 years — in choosing the Democratic nominee.
An Elon poll released in September showed Clinton with a 2-to-1 advantage over both Obama and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, who pulled out of the race last month. But Obama has recently won 11 straight primary or caucus victories, which boosted his support in North Carolina, poll director Hunter Bacot said."
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