Obama holds narrow advantage over McCain in new poll

[Ron Burgundy]

AFP - Democratic Senator Barack Obama holds a narrow lead over his Republican rival John McCain as the US presidential candidates move into general election campaign mode, a poll out Tuesday found.

The survey shows Obama leading McCain by 48 percent to 42 percent among all adults. "Among registered voters, the margin is essentially the same -- 49 percent to 45 percent," according to the first Washington Post-ABC News poll since the Democratic nomination contest wrapped up.

Public disappointment with Republican President George W. Bush's eight years in power could make McCain's battle seriously uphill, the survey said.

"In general, 57 percent said McCain would continue to lead the country as Bush has and 38 percent said he would chart a new course," the survey said.

In addition, "dissatisfaction with the direction of the country hit an all-time high this month, with 84 percent saying the nation is now seriously on the wrong track.

"Asked which party they favor for the House (of Representatives) this fall, 52 percent said Democratic and 37 percent said Republican."

And in a race in which voters not aligned with either major party could play a key role, "independents see McCain as more credible on fighting terrorism and are split evenly on who is the stronger leader and better on the Iraq war.

"But on other key attributes and issues -- including the economy -- Obama has advantages among independents," the poll said.

The telephone survey was taken June 12-15 among a national random sample of 1,125 adults, with a three percent margin of error.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080617/pl_afp/usvotepoll [link]