(CNN) - Barack Obama and John McCain are statistically tied in New Hampshire, the state known for its perennial political role that is again expected to be a key battleground in the race for the White House.
According to a new poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire, Obama holds a narrow 3 point lead over McCain, 46 percent to 43 percent, with 8 percent remaining undecided. That marks a clear departure from a similar poll conducted there in April that showed McCain with a 6 point lead among Granite State voters.
New Hampshire is only worth 4 electoral votes, but its famously independent voting electorate has repeatedly rendered the state a tossup at the presidential level: it voted for John Kerry by 1 percentage point in 2004 and for George Bush by 3 points in 2000.
The state has already played a vital role in the 2008 presidential process - John McCain's come-from-behind victory there is largely credited with salvaging the Arizona senator's White House hopes while Hillary Clinton's surprising win set the stage for the prolonged Democratic primary. Clinton and Obama later held their first public show of support in Unity, New Hampshire - a town where the two candidates exactly tied.
Watch: A look back at New Hampshire
The poll, conducted on July 11-20, surveyed 519 voters and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.
From CNN Politics
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Not in my town! Its Obama all the way!!!
Three points is not a "statistical tie," it's the percentage Bush beat Kerry by nationally in 2004. Did they "tie" that election? lol
McCain KEEP making errors and the media does NOT focus on them ..... WHY???? This man is going to start a war in Iran if he is elected.... This is NOT the McCain of 2000.
New Hampshire went to Hillary and went for Mc Cain in 2000/2008 I say obama loses it by a few points. New Hampshire voters have a history in seeing threw con-artist candidates that are all talk. They value their votes.
Mc 08
Hillary 2012
Thank God 8% of us still have common sense.
Change is coming to America watch 50 States turn blue come November!!!!!!
Obama 2008
Yes, definitely that is the tide I hear turning.
That's not a tie! Jeez, when will the media tell it like it is...why not play up that Obama is leading, although by narrow margin, period?
LIBERAL bring USA flush to thoilet ANYTHING goes bed with perverted and criminal
obama/CLINTON ticket equals a New Hampshire win.
VICE PRESIDENT CLINTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have faith that the good people of NH are smart and will make the logical decision of helping to put Barack our next president!!
Obama '08
Every time McCain speaks, he loses votes. Listen to what he is saying and how he is saying it.
So much for allowing the national media to cram Obama down our throats.
519 voters polled. CNN = epic phail
CNN bias as usual. Obama is clearly in the lead. Shame , shame.
It was an IQ test, and 43% failed. Shades of 2000 and 2004.
I think you need only go read the contribution from 'Yeah right!' above to appreciate the 43% who prefer McCain. That 43% of any state's populace can function with that much brain damage is spectacular.
Why is it so close?
Why are there McCain supporters?
How does McCain's policies benefit our country?
He admitted not knowing much about the economy. He wants to continue the Bush tax cuts. He does nothing to better our image in the world. He wants to stay in Iraq indefinitely. He has contradicting views on our energy crisis ( wants to minimize global warming yet wants to drill for oil NOW and explore other energy resources LATER )
Again…why is it so close?
New Hampshire will proudly go for Barack.
It is said that the true mark of insanity is repeating the same mistake over and over again. We're not crazy up here.
Obama 08/12
Even with the completely lopsided coverage, McCain is still holding his own. Go McCain!!!
It looks like McCain's attack ads are having an adverse effect, at least here and maybe elsewhere in the future. The old Hollywood adage is true: there's no such thing as bad publicity.
I bet that McBush wishes we had a parlimentary system so that he could call elections right now. The longer he and his surrogates keep belittling the American public by telling us this economic downturn is all in our heads the stronger Obama gets!
Baracks got the "MO"!
Obama/Nunn in 2008 and beyond.
Karen, a 3% lead in a poll with a 4.3% margin of error makes it a 'statistical tie'. It basically means the votes could swing 4.3% in either direction. In a best case scenario, Obama holds a STRONG lead, in a worst case scenario, he's cut a 6% defecit to 1%. Either way it's a good sign for Obama.
3 points ahead is a lead. the worm is turning!!!!
Go Obama '08 & '12!!
Glendale Heights, IL
Hmm. Obama better take hillary to NH, of course his supporters say he doesn't need Hillary or her supporters, so good luck.
Mcsame you don't have a chance OBAMA 08