(CNN) - With the dust having finally settled after the prolonged Democratic presidential primary, a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama locked in a statistical dead heat in the race for the White House.
With just over four months remaining until voters weigh in at the polls, the new survey out Tuesday indicates Obama holds a narrow 5-point advantage among registered voters nationwide over the Arizona senator, 50 percent to 45 percent. That represents little change from a similar poll one month ago, when the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee held a 46-43 percent edge over McCain.
CNN Polling Director Keating Holland notes Tuesday's survey confirms what a string of national polls released this month have shown: Obama holds a slight advantage over McCain, though not a big enough one to constitute a statistical lead.
"Every standard telephone poll taken in June has shown Obama ahead of McCain, with nearly all of them showing Obama's margin somewhere between three and six points," Holland said. "In most of them, that margin is not enough to give him a lead in a statistical sense, but it appears that June has been a good month for Obama."
But the new CNN/ORC polls shows the race gets even tighter when the two most prominent third-party presidential candidates are considered. In a four way match-up that includes independent candidate Ralph Nader and Libertarian candidate Bob Barr, Obama's lead over McCain dwindles to 3 percentage points, 46 percent to 43 percent. (Nader registers 6 percent while Barr gets 3 percent.)
But it remains unclear just how much effect Nader and Barr will have on the election, as summertime surveys often overstate the eventual Election Day showing of third-party candidates.
"A useful rule of thumb is that third-party candidates in November get no more than half the support polls show them having in June or July," Holland said.
Meanwhile, one day after the Illinois senator sharply defended his devotion to America during a high-profile speech in the crucial swing state of Missouri, the new survey shows some voters continue to have lingering questions about his patriotism.
One quarter of all registered voters say Obama lacks patriotism, according to the poll. That breaks down to 10 percent of Democrats, 29 percent of Independents, and 40 percent of Republicans who say Obama lacks patriotism.
But it's likely the issue will not have a significant impact this fall.
"Strategically speaking, the question is not how many people consider Obama unpatriotic - it's how many people consider Obama unpatriotic who would have voted for him otherwise," Holland said "Most of the respondents who think Obama is unpatriotic are Republicans. That indicates that Obama may not have lost a lot of votes - so far - on this matter."
McCain, a former Navy pilot and prisoner of war during Vietnam, is viewed as being patriotic by 90 percent of all registered voters.
The poll, conducted June 26-29, surveyed 906 registered voters and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
From CNN Politics
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Its hard out there for McSame
I loved Hillary, but not voting for Obama would be stupid.
i think the question someone said was " since when are we not allowed to say what we think" when a black man is running for president thats when cause then you are racist ! ! ! ! ! ! !
As an Evangelical Christian I totally agree with you. This is not the type of person we need at the helm of our Nation. For years the Atheists and Socialists have chipped away at our foundation as a Nation. We cannot allow the Left Wing of the Democratic Party via
their surrogate, Obama to control the country.
5 points aheat is not dead heat. Mccain is behind in the cold alone.
YEEEEES!
There should be a law that requires all voters to have in their possession a voter card that states who they voted for during an election.
That way, in case there is a draft, the government can't touch the families of those who did not vote for the person who decides to go to war, like Bush did and like McCain wants to continue.
If this law existed, McCain's percentage rate would be in the single digits.
Polls numbers change based on the states they are polling in.
Seriously CNN? Will you guys just post any old poll you find just to make it seem like it's a tight race? When you and I both know Obama is up by 20% minimum!
OBAMA 2008!!!
I'm an Obama supporter but make no mistake, this race is going to be close. John McCain is the best republican they could've nominated and he's a much stronger opponent than one might think, even in this terrible political climate for republicans. We have to do all we can to get Senator Obama elected to the White House. We've got to keep the pressure on the republicans and force a debate about the issues instead of McCain's biography.
*********************************************
GOES TO SHOW THERE IS A LOT OF IDIOTS OUT THERE. THATS WHY BUSH W GOT INTO OFFICE. WHAT A SHAME.
MDG: I don't think it's fair to say that Gen Y does not have work ethic. Gen Y works differently than other generations of workers. I see it everyday. I see a lot of Gen Y'ers coming up with new and innovative ways to get work done. Who do you think will take the place of the baby boomers as they retire? Sometimes things have to change. I understand that the Baby Boomer generation is reluctant to change, but think about your kids – their kids. Do you want them paying $10 a gallon for gas? Having to sacrafice food or shelter because they can't afford to fill up their cars? It's already happening now! Something has to give, and it can't be the people, not anymore!
If the truth regarding BHO and all his dirty Chicago politics gets out, there is no way anybody would want that corruption in the Presidency. With Wright, Ayers, and Rezko as friends, his judgement, or lack thereof, is definitely lacking!
Those unitied with Obama. Just wait until after the convention and when Obama chews McCain up and spits him out during the debates. In the end, Obama will blow him away. Go to realpolitics.com to get the more up to date polls.
Obama '08 & '12
GEE Barack, I thought you said you were SURE that all the Hillary voters would just come right over to you. What a sap you are now!!
I predict it is just a slide down the hill from here. You will not get the nomination at the convention in August because by then the DNC will have realized their huge mistake and they will crown Hillary and all will be well with the world and the Dems will take back the white house.
You see, they just can't do it with you around!!
HAHAHAHA
PUMA
The African Idol has failed to reach out to the Hillary Billies. That spells defeat to me and thank God for that.
Hispanos don't be mislead by this wolf in sheeps clothing. Our Children and Grandchildren deserve a better Commander in Chief that this Mulato will provide.
McCain para Presidente. Viva John McCain el Patriota.
If the lead is no 5% versus 3% the last time it was taken, doesn't it seem to be incrementally – GROWING?
Uh Patrick, I dont' think Kerry every was ahead in any poll.
By the way, the only ones that really matter right now are the state polls:
New Hampshire – Obama
Pennsylvania – Obama
Ohio – Obama
Iowa – Obama
New Mexico – Obama
Colorado – Obama
Virginia – McCain by less than one point
Here's a little secret McCain fans, if Obama keeps NH, Penn, Iowa, New Mexico and Colorado, he wins. But, to make it legit, he's working hard for Ohio and will ask Rendell to help solidify Pennsylvania.
It's elrly still, but I like where Obama is. Getting a 6-7% lead, especially in these 7 states would really put his candidacy in great shape. Here's to those who haven't gottne involved yet to get involved.
Donate time, money, etc. to the cause. I'm tired of the last 6 years of total Republican rule, and the last two years with President Bush now getting his veto pen a work out. I gave him and them a chance. They blew it (out all on all of us) and now it's time for a complete change to something new and something better.
Change of course is good.... but if you think the carter adminstration was a joke... then stand by for worse economy if obama is elected.
IF you like big goverment,,,, bigger taxes then vote for obama. History will show you that DEMOCRATS are into big goverment. If you think things are bad now... stick around folks with a democratic congress and a democrat for president.. we are in BIG BIG TROUBLE !!!
We will see a depression forget a recession.
We will be screwed.
The polls would be accurate if we voted by answering the phone and answering a few questions, but we don't. Which candidate's supporters are likely to be motivated to register and show up in greater numbers on Election day to vote?
CNN and every other poll takers need to get a life! What are you accomplishing by conducting daily polls on upcoming november election when Americans are dying in Iraq, a gallon of gasoline is over $4, The white House and its cohorts are predicting a terrorist attack on the U.S. and John Mccain is in agreement because he thinks the best thing for america right now is war and more war.
Is anyone paying attention to China? As i write this, China is positioning itself in all major African countries such as Nigeria and everywhere else while we are stuck with bunch of war mongers who knows nothing about economics. Its time for America to reclaim its position as the world's economic engine.
Obama '08.
WHY, NADER!?!? Someone please explain the situation to this guy....
why does Obama always look like one of Jerry's Kids in a lot of his pictures
Obama is up by 110 percentage points in like a gazillion polls. He's going to win the Electoral by 50,000. He'll carry all 57 states.
OBAMA!
Rhetoric you can believe in!
I think people should only listen to the candidates themselves. Not the supporters who love to trash the candidates and smear thier image with lies and spin and twist everything around they say and question them on the dumbest of issues that have nothing to do with what "smart" voters care about. Its a simple fundamental choice between WAR and PEACE! going to war over and over will never bring peace... think about that!
He's going to lose.
America will not elect a black man to the presidency no matter how fashionable black pop culture is at the moment.
Aside from Clinton, Look at all the other more Qualified Democrats who ran for the presidency.
They weren't as hip and were written off.
America Made a mistake and chose wrong.