Poll: Specter's party switch pays off

I get more and more queasy about Specter's change, especially after pretty solid proof that he fabricated the "I did not say I would be a loyal Democrat" statement.

A new poll shows Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) ahead in two general election match-ups following his party switch, but suggests the contest would become instantly competitive if former Gov. Tom Ridge (R ) entered the race.

The Quinnipiac poll of Pennsylvania voters shows Specter leading Ridge, the former governor and Homeland Security secretary, 46-43.

Specter would look much stronger, however, if the GOP nominee winds up being his 2004 primary opponent, former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). In that matchup, Specter leads 53-33. The margin is particularly interesting given that, in previous polls when Specter was still a Republican, Quinnipiac had shown Toomey with a wide lead in their primary matchup.

Independent voters favor Specter by nine points over Toomey, but those voters flip for Ridge, preferring him by a 10-point margin over Specter.

It appears there is little nostalgia for Specter among Republicans, as he takes just 10 percent of the GOP vote against Ridge and 18 percent against Toomey.

Cartoon via.

Obama Approval Stays High

Yeah, all this while the carpetbagger idiots are still trying to make a big deal over his commencement speech here.

One hundred days in office, President Obama has a 58% to 30% job approval rating from American voters, including 53% to 35% among white voters, millions more than voted for him in November, according to a new Quinnipiac poll.

Interesting: There is a big religious split as white Catholics approve of the President 57% to 33% while white Protestants split 44% to 42%. Jewish voters back Obama 76% to 12%.

Final Quinnipiac: Obama Leads In Key Swing States

Almost too good to be true, but I'm enjoying the pundits trying to stretch this out into a horse race. Via Taegan.

The final Quinnipiac Swing State polls show Sen. Barack Obama leading Sen. John McCain in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. No one has been elected President since 1960 without taking two of these three largest swing states.

Florida: Obama 47%, McCain 45%

Ohio: Obama 50%, McCain 43%

Pennsylvania: Obama 52%, McCain 42%

Said pollster Peter Brown: "Sen. Obama appears headed for the best showing of any Democratic candidate among white voters in a generation, going back at least to Jimmy Carter in 1976 and perhaps even to Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Race has been an issue, but green, not black or white, appears to be the color that matters most. Voters overwhelmingly say the economy is the major issue that leads to their vote and they see Sen. Obama as better able to handle the nation's money problems."

Quinnipiac: Obama Maintains Lead in Swing States

Morning poll p0rn for thee!! Via Taegan.

The latest Quinnipiac Swing State Polls show the presidential race tightening somewhat in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, though Sen. Barack Obama still leads Sen. John McCain in all three states.

Florida: Obama 47%, McCain 45%

Ohio: Obama 51%, McCain 42%

Pennsylvania: Obama 53%, McCain 41%

Said pollster Peter Brown: "If - IF - Sen. Barack Obama can take Florida, he could match or come close to President Bill Clinton's re-election margin in 1996, carrying all three of the big swing states en route to rolling up 379 Electoral College votes. The last challenger to win the Big Three was Ronald Reagan, who tallied 489 Electoral College votes in his 1984 landslide."

Quinnipiac: Obama Leads in Big Three

Early morning poll p0rn. Via Taegan-

With 12 days to go, a new Quinnipiac poll finds Sen. John McCain is narrowing the gap in Florida, but fading in Ohio and barely denting Sen. Barack Obama's double-digit lead in Pennsylvania.

Florida: Obama 49%, McCain 44%

Ohio: Obama 52%, McCain 38%

Pennsylvania: Obama 53%, McCain 40%

Said pollster Peter Brown: "As we enter the home stretch, Sen. Obama is winning voter groups that no Democrat has carried in more than four decades, and he holds very solid leads in the big swing states. If these numbers hold up, he could win the biggest Democratic landslide since Lyndon Johnson in 1964."

Map via Nate.

Quinnipiac: Obama Pulls Away in Battleground

Almost as good as sex. Via Taegan.

"Boosted by the economic crisis and a strong debate performance," Sen. Barack Obama is over the 50% mark in the key battleground states of Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, "and for the first time leads or ties Sen. John McCain among white voters in all four states," according to four simultaneous Quinnipiac polls.

Colorado: Obama 52%, McCain 43%

Michigan: Obama 54%, McCain 38%

Minnesota: Obama 51%, McCain 40%

Wisconsin: Obama 54%, McCain 37%

Said pollster Peter Brown: "Sen. Obama's leads in these four battleground states are as large as they have been the entire campaign. Those margins may be insurmountable barring a reversal that has never been seen before in the modern era in which polling monitors public opinion throughout the campaign."

Quinnipiac: Obama Holds National Lead

Yep, as all the great minds on the intertubes are saying, they won't let this stand. Be prepared for big juju distractions soon. Any guesses what it will be?

With a 14-point lead among women and a 91-point lead among blacks, Sen. Barack Obama leads Sen. John McCain among likely voters nationwide, 49% to 45%, according to a new Quinnipiac poll.

Said pollster Maurice Carroll: "Sen. Obama is right back where he was before the so-called convention bounces with a four-point lead. The Democratic discombobulation after the selection of Gov. Palin as GOP running mate seems to be steadying. Women, black voters and young people favor Obama. Men, white voters and Evangelical Protestants pick Sen. McCain."

Quinnipiac: Obama Tops McCain by Five Points

Okay, is it just me or did anyone else think Biden looked kinda sexy in the footage of him arriving in Georgia wearing all black and the sunglasses?

The latest Quinnipiac national poll shows Sen. Barack Obama leading Sen. John McCain, 47% to 42%. Last month, Obama led by a 50% to 41% margin.

Key findings: McCain leads 46% to 41% among men and leads 65% to 25% among white Evangelical Christians. But Obama leads 53% to 39% among women and leads 55% to 36% among voters 18 to 34 years old. Independent voters now favor Obama by 45% to 39%.