WASHINGTON (CNN) - A Quinnipiac poll out Tuesday suggests Hillary Clinton holds a clear advantage over Barack Obama in Pennsylvania, the next crucial battleground in the prolonged fight for the Democratic nomination.
Clinton holds a 12-point lead over Obama in the state, 53 percent to 41 percent, according to the poll. The New York senator's lead is double what a similar poll showed in late February, though it is still less than the 18-point gap between the two candidates in a month ago.
Clinton's widest gains in the state are among white voters, who now back her over Obama by a margin of 28 points. That compares to a 19-point gap in the late February poll.
Obama has made gains among Pennsylvania African-Americans, but hasn't drawn the same level of support from them as he has in previous contests. According to the poll, Obama wins 76 percent of the black vote, up from 69 percent in late February. In most recent primary states, Obama's African-American support has hovered around 90 percent. The narrower margin may be due to Clinton's endorsement from Philadelphia's popular black mayor Michael Nutter.
When it comes to the prospect of a joint ticket between the two candidates, 32 percent of Pennsylvania Democrats say they prefer Clinton on the top of the ticket while 18 percent prefer Obama. But 43 percent say they don't want the two to run together.
The new poll is similar to other recent surveys. In a CNN analysis of three recent polls, including Quinnipiac's, Clinton holds an average lead of 13 points over Obama.
Both campaigns have attempted to set the expectations ahead of Pennsylvania's vote. Obama's campaign has repeatedly noted the state is only 1 of 10 remaining contests, while Clinton's campaign has said a win there will prove the New York senator can win crucial swing states in a general election.
– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
From CNN Politics
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The chickens are coooooooming home........to rooost
HRC supporters are hoping to a lead of just deligate than BO to claim the nomination. Why can they respect the 138 deligate lead ?
That pastor would have been Obama's spiritual advisor advisor if Obama became the President of the United States of America.
Can someone please explain how PA is a KEY state? Is it going to completely erase her delegate deficit?
Reading through these comments, be they anti-Obma or anti-Clinton, my stomach begins to churn. There certainly is a lot of hate out there.
after reading some of these comments, yes racism is still alive and well in america, this is a fact that will never change.white americans will not ever vote for a black man to lead their country. and yes this is THEIR COUNTRY !!, not black america's, blacks in this country just reside here that all.
Even if she wins Pennsylvania,she isnt going to win Indiana and North Carolina and Montana and South Dakota and of Course Michigan.
The Math!
He will still have the Higher delegates and lets see how those super delegates will try to overturn things.
OBAMA 08.
EVeryone should read Obama's speach on CNN.com. It is simply masterful.
If I wanted a freak show I would have voted for Michael Jackson for president. Oh wait...Rodney King. Obama is a racist in an expensive suit.
He is all talk. Just like a real Brother says, " I didn't do it". Everytime I hear him say that I think, "CRACK Head"!
I think the media should give Hillary equal free airtime because Obama's latest speech was nothing but political rhetoric. And talk about flipflopping? Last week he said he was never present during any inflammatory remarks from his pastor and in today's speech he said just the opposite!
FL DEM
if hillary takes pa, in & nc she will get the nomination and the super delegates will fall in line
Hillary should go and run as McCain's VP since she thinks he's so qualified. Know why she can answer the phone at 3:00 am? Because she'll be waiting to hear what Billy boy is up to with the interns.
As of 11 A.M. today, this poll is outdated
That was a timely and powerful speech, and the polls will be reflecting it soon.
Finally, people are starting to see through Obama. And no, Ohio did not screw up for once.
HRC has succeeded in destorying the democratic party and will not beat Mc Cain in the election. 4 more years of the Bush war.
It's sad that HILLARY has resorted to racial tactics because I voted for BILL CLINTON. Because of that I will only be a CLINTON fan. But after hearing BARAK OBAMA Speak on RACIZM In america I will forever be a OBAMA BELIEVER.
WE NEED CHANGE!!!!
I really wonder how many of those voters are Republican Rush Limbaugh or Laura Ingraham fans sabotaging the democratic process. Thanks again Ohio and Texas, like lemmings to a cliff.
Obama gets an "A+" for his speech this morning. I don't know many other politicians who could have spoken so eloquently on so many topics and have it all come together. We are so fortunate to have him available to us in this country and in the world at this point in time. Let's all get behind him. God knows we need him.
YEAH!!! Hillary is so good!
I LOVE HILLARY!!!!
PLEASE!!!!!!! What is so newsworthy about this poll? Didn't she have a double digit lead for one year on a national basis only to blow it? Really, this is just so Clintonian. Drama, drama, drama, drama. BORING!
The Poll showing Clinton gain among white voters shows Clinton has successfully induced race in this Key state election.
Clinton nomination means MCcain wins!!!!!!!!!!
You people need to know we want Hillary to get the nod. We discuss this at the party headquaters in St Louis.
Go Billary we are ready and waiting with your past we will build our future.
GO MCCAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
President H.R. Clinton is our HOPE.
Obama is a JOKE.
This is excellent news!! Keep up the great work Hillary.
This election has been full of surprises, so for CLinton supportees – Be Warned!!