Clinton Extends Lead in USA Today Poll

Hillary Clinton leads Barack Obama in the latest poll by USA Today, released yesterday. The poll was conducted between 9 and 11 January and surveyed 495 Democrat or Democrat leaning voters.

Clinton is preferred Democrat nominee by 40% of respondents, compared to Barack Obama on 21%. The same poll conducted 12-14 January had Clinton leading Obama 29%-18%.

Al Gore was third in the poll on 14% with John Edwards close behind on 13%.

And in a straight contest between Clinton and Obama, Hillary leads 62%-33%, extending the lead she had in the January poll, 53%-39%.

Clinton also leads as the preferred President over John McCain 50%-47%, but falls just behind Rudy Giuliani 48%-50%.

In a promising sign for the Clinton camp, 58% of people have a positive view of Clinton, and 60% think she would make a good President.