Quinnipiac: Obama leads McCain in N.J. by six points

Democrat Barack Obama has a six point lead over Republican John McCain in New Jersey, 45%-39%, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released this morning. In a February 21 Quinnipiac poll, Obama led McCain 46%-39%.

"Sen. Barack Obama shows every sign of keeping New Jersey in the blue state column in the presidential election, rolling up the kinds of numbers that routinely elect Democrats year after year," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Almost a majority says the economy is the most important issue in the campaign; President Bush's approval rating is near his all time low; only 29 percent support the war in Iraq - all bad news for Sen. John McCain who enters the state with Republicans already the registration underdogs."

Obama has a double-digit lead among women, 46%-35%, and men split 44%-44%. McCain leads among Independent voters, 42%-40%.

More than half (53%) of New Jersey voters say Obama should not pick Hillary Clinton as his vice presidential running mate, while 36% say he should. But an Obama/Clinton ticket would help the Democrats, voters say.

Unlike yesterday's Quinnipiac poll, which showed voters thought U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg was too old to be effective in a fifth term, John McCain's age is not an issue. 76% of New Jersey voters say the 71-year-old McCain's age will not affect their vote. And 88% of voters say that Obama's race will not affect how they vote.