INDIANANAPOLIS, Indiana (CNN) — A new poll indicates that the economy remains issue number one with American voters, now more than ever.

Forty-nine percent of those questioned in a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday said the economy is the top issue in their vote for president, seven points higher than in a March survey.

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Obama has double digit lead nationally over Clinton, according to Gallup.

(CNN)—Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama extended his lead nationally over Sen. Hillary Clinton Monday according to the latest national polls.

The Gallup Poll conducted March 27-29 with a margin of error of 3 percentage points shows the Illinois Senator has a 10 point lead over the New York Senator among Democrats, marking the first time since early February Gallup polls have shown either candidate with a double digit lead. In February, Gallup showed Clinton held an 11 percent advantage over Obama.

Last week’s Pew Poll also confirmed Obama had weathered the media storm surrounding the Reverend Wright controversy and maintained his lead.

Despite pressure from some powerful Obama supporters and being behind nationally in the polls, Clinton said the race should not end before all votes had been cast. "I didn't think we believed that in America. I thought we of all people knew how important it was to give everyone a chance to have their voices heard and their votes counted," she said.

Looking to the critical state of Pennsylvania, Clinton holds a 12 percent lead ahead of the state’s April 22 primary, according to the latest CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released earlier this month.Both candidates continue to campaign heavily in the state of Pennsylvania Monday, where there are 158 pledged delegates up for grabs.

Update: CNN poll of polls released Monday, which includes the results of several recent major surveys, shows Hillary Clinton with a 14 percent lead in Pennsylvania over Barack Obama.

Update II: The latest Gallup tracking poll out Monday afternoon has Obama up by 8 points.

–CNN’s Emily Sherman

CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN)— Barack Obama came back from his vacation in St. Thomas Wednesday well rested and ready for battle. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, Suzanne Malveaux reports on Sen. Obama’s increased criticism of John McCain.

Meanwhile, John McCain continued his policy push, delivering a major speech on what he deems as his greatest strength over the Democratic candidates—foreign policy. CNN’s Dana Bash explains how McCain brought a personal touch to this serious subject.

Plus, Hillary Clinton kept her sights fixed on Pennsylvania. Jessica Yellin explains why Hillary Clinton plans to stay in the race despite lagging in the delegate count, as news comes of a new poll which shows her supporters would defect to John McCain if she does not get the nomination in far greater numbers than Barack Obama’s would. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider has the details.

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–CNN’s Emily Sherman and Jillian Harding

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Tax rebates are the centerpiece of the government's plan to stimulate the economy, but many Americans are planning to put the money in the bank or use it to pay off debt, according to a survey released Monday.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll found that 41% of respondents plan to use their rebates to pay off bills, and 32% will put the money in savings. Just 21% of those polled intend to spend the money, while 3% said they will donate the extra money to charity.

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Watch a clip from Sen. Obama's speech Thursday.

(CNN) – A day after the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war and with Americans increasingly worried about their economic security, Sen. Barack Obama said Thursday that the Bush administration had misled the public about the economic costs of waging a military campaign in Iraq.

“What no one disputes is that the cost of this war is far higher than what we were told it would be,” said Obama. “We were told this war would cost $50 to 60 billion and that reconstruction would pay for itself out of Iraqi profits. We were told higher estimates were nothing but baloney. Like so much else about this war, we were not told the truth,” he added.

The conflict in Iraq has cost $608 billion according to a House Budget Committee report but some estimates put the long term costs of the war at $3 trillion.

Obama also targeted Sens. John McCain and Hillary Clinton for their support of the Iraq war.

Noting that the Bush administration has given wartime tax cuts to wealthy Americans which McCain once opposed but now supports, Obama said “No matter what the costs, no matter what the consequences, John McCain seems determined to carry out a third Bush term.” “That is an outcome American can’t afford,” Obama added.

As for Sen. Clinton, Obama noted a recent Clinton attack on McCain for supporting policies that have led to the country’s war costs. “Her point would have been more compelling had she not joined Sen. McCain in making the tragically ill-considered decision to vote for the Iraq war in the first place,” said Obama.

The McCain campaign called Obama “fundamentally wrong” on the economy and national security in a statement issued in response to Obama’s remarks. “On the economy, Senator Obama offers the tired tax and spend ideas of the past,” the statement said. “On national security, Sen. Obama would rather rehash the past than look forward with resolve to address fundamental challenges and opportunities we have today to secure our future,” the McCain campaign added.

In a recent CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, 7 in 10 Americans said they thought the government’s spending on the Iraq war was responsible for the country’s troubled economy. Recent polling also shows that a majority of Americans believe the country is in a recession and that the economy is the number one issue for the pubic by a 2-to-1 margin over the Iraq war which ranks as the second most important issue.

McCain was recently in the Middle East with other members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Sen. Clinton gave a speech Wednesday that emphasized her plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq if she wins the White House.

Related: War costs weigh on Bush legacy

–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN) – Sen. Barack Obama did something Tuesday which he had largely avoided so far in his presidential campaign — address issues of race in America as a serious African-American contender for the Democratic Party's nomination.  Suzanne Malveaux reports from the campaign trail about Obama's speech.

Overseas, Sen. John McCain continues his tour of the Middle East.  Chief National Correspondent John King reports from Jerusalem about McCain's visit to Israel and with the King of Jordan.

The proposal by Florida's Democratic Party to hold a do-over primary was shot down by most of the Florida Congressional delegation almost from the moment it was released.  John Zarella explains what happens next now that Florida Democrats have announced that they have given up on pursuing a re-vote.

Finally, Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider reports on a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll on how voters view the three senators vying for the Oval Office.

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–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN) – The economy is the number one issue for voters, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Monday and the struggling U.S. economy takes center stage in the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily.

White House Correspondent Ed Henry reports on the Bush administration’s response to the troubles of a Wall Street giant whose sale was announced Monday. Suzanne Malveaux reports from the campaign trail about the how Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama responded to the Bush administration’s assistance to Bear Stearns and about what each of the two Democrats would do to jump start the economy if either wins the White House.

Plus, Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider digs into the new CNN poll numbers on the economy and on whom Democrats prefer – Clinton or Obama – to be their party’s next presidential nominee.

Finally, while the White House, Clinton and Obama focused on the economy, Sen. John McCain is in Iraq casting a spotlight on foreign policy. Chief National Correspondent John King is in Iraq with McCain and has an interview with the presumptive Republican nominee.

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–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

Sens. Obama and Clinton greet the audience before last weeks CNN debate.

(CNN) – Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are in a tight race in Texas, according to a “poll of polls” calculated by CNN on Thursday.

An average of three polls of likely Democratic voters has Sen. Barack Obama at 48 percent and Sen. Hillary Clinton at 45 percent. Seven percent were unsure.

The average also shows Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee, holding a nearly 20-point lead over former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee among likely Republican primary voters. McCain has 53 percent to Huckabee's 34 percent, and Texas Rep. Ron Paul has 9 percent. Four percent were unsure.

Texas voters will be joined by those in Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island when they head to the polls on March 4. With Obama surging into the lead on 11 straight wins since Super Tuesday, Clinton's supporters admit that she must do well in Texas and Ohio if she is continue to battle for the nomination.

CNN's Texas poll of polls results were calculated using three surveys: a Belo/Public Strategies poll conducted February 24-25, an American Research Group poll conducted February 23-24, and a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll conducted February 22-24.

Earlier, an American Research Group poll of likely Democratic voters on February 13-14 showed Obama ahead, 48-42, with 10 percent undecided. A CNN poll taken between February 14-17 showed Clinton ahead, 50-48.

–CNN.com Senior Political Producer Scott Anderson

CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN) — As the voting in Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island approaches, things are heating up between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley reports on the latest back-and-forth between the two remaining Democrats vying for their party's nod.

Republican front runner John McCain continues his march to collect enough delegates to officially garner the GOP's nomination.  Dana Bash reports on McCain's latest comments about the Iraq war.

Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider reports on a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll of likely primary voters in Texas.

Finally, Brian Todd keeps them honest and does a fact check of claims by Clinton and Obama on the North American Free Trade Agreement.

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–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN) — In the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily, CNN's daily video political podcast, the presidential candidates go on the defensive. It’s make-or-break time for the White House hopefuls who didn’t fare well with voters in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Former President Bill Clinton defends recent controversial remarks about Sen. Barack Obama made on the eve of the New Hampshire primary.

Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider reports on who’s leading the presidential pack according to the first CNN/Opinion Research Corporation national poll done since the New Hampshire primaries.

Republican presidential candidates Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee trade punches as the campaign shifts to South Carolina. Learn more about Thompson’s Southern strategy in Dana Bash’s report. Dan Lothian also spends some time in South Carolina with John Edwards, who won the Southern state’s Democratic primary in 2004 and must do well there this time around to stay competitive.

Finally, CNN’s Jen Mikell serves up Trail Mix – some of the most memorable moments in the White House race this week.

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– CNN’s Emily Sherman

Over the past few days, McCain aired his first TV ad while Romney aired his 10,000th.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Over the past few days, two presidential candidates marked a “first” in their competing bids for the Republican presidential nomination.

For Arizona Sen. John McCain, the weekend marked the first time he took to the airwaves to tout his candidacy with an ad buy in New Hampshire. But it is the milestone former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney just passed that is head shaking.

Romney is the first presidential candidate to run at least 10,000 political ads this election cycle, according to an analysis conducted by TNS Media Intelligence/CMAG, CNN’s consultant on political advertising spending. And there is no White House hopeful in sight to catch up to him anytime soon – unless a candidate immediately opens up the campaign war chest and begins to saturate the airwaves.

“This shows that Romney is a force to be reckoned with, and he clearly is relying on paid advertising and paid media to move his campaign,” said Evan Tracey, chief operating office of the TNSMI/CMAG.

Tracey also noted that this is “probably the quietest 10,000 commercials you will ever see” in a presidential campaign, because the ads have aired almost exclusively in Iowa and New Hampshire with a smaller number of runs in South Carolina and Florida.

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Thompson is in a statistical dead heat with Rudy Giuliani, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Five days after he officially jumped into the Republican race for the White House, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson finds himself in a statistical dead heat with frontrunner Rudy Giuliani, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll out Tuesday.

The former New York City mayor garners 28 percent nationally among registered Republicans while Thompson is only one point behind at 27 percent — well within the poll's 5 percentage point margin of error. In a similar poll taken in August, Giuliani registered 29 percent while Thompson, then not yet an official presidential candidate, was at 22 percent. (See full poll results [PDF])

CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider notes, "Thompson has the edge among evangelical Republicans and especially among his fellow southerners — that's where Thompson has made the biggest gains."

Specifically, Thompson now holds the advantage among men, southerners, older voters (age 50 and over) and ideological conservatives. Conversely, Giuliani leads among women, voters in the Northeast and Midwest, younger voters (under 50) and self-described GOP moderates.

While the CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll shows a statistical dead heat, other recent national polls indicate Giuliani continues to hold a lead over Thompson. A CBS/New York Times poll released Monday showed Giuliani with a 5 point lead over Thompson, 27 percent to 22 percent. Meanwhile, a USAToday/Gallup poll out Monday has Giuliani with a 12 point lead, 34 percent to 22 percent.

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– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

CNN's Bill Schneider takes a look at the latest poll numbers on terrorism.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Six years after the September 11 attacks, only three in ten Americans believe that the U.S. and its allies are winning the war on terrorism, according to a new CNN-Opinion Research Corporation Poll. That’s down from 41% when the same question was asked at the beginning of last year.

Half of all Americans believe that neither side is winning the war on terrorism. And almost one in five Americans believes that the terrorists are winning. A solid majority of Americans (57%) believes that the terrorists will always find a way to launch major attacks regardless of what the U.S. government does. That number is unchanged from one year ago.

Only five percent of those questioned think things in the U.S. are now completely back to normal following the September 11 attacks. Thirty percent feel things will eventually be back to normal and 63 percent think things will never be back to normal.

The CNN-Opinion Research Corporation poll questioned 1,017 Americans from September 7-9. The survey’s margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points.

And a majority are not satisfied with the way the war on terrorism is going

Fewer than four in ten Americans are satisfied with the way that things are going in the war on terrorism, according to a CNN-Opinion Research Corporation Poll conducted last month. The survey showed that one in three Americans believe we are actually less safe from terrorism than we were prior to the September 11 attacks. Two out of every three Americans believe that we are either as safe as or safer than we were on the day of the attacks.

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