SUSA has two state polls out today for PA and NM which show some great news. Obama has an 8 point lead in PA and is tied in NM. SUSA has stopped polling Clinton's numbers - sorry Clinton folks.
However, and perhaps more interesting, is that they have begun to poll VP picks and John Edwards helps the Obama ticket quite a bit in both states. I think this is a combination of Edwards being a known quantity, as well as his appeal to a voting base (outside of Kossacks) distinct from Obama. I wish SUSA would have included Hillary Clinton and Condi Rice in the cross-tabs...but oh well.
Here are the numbers
PA : Obama: 48 McCain: 40
Obama / Edwards
50/40 (McCain / Huckabee)
52/37 (McCain / Romney)
52/35 (McCain / Pawlenty)
50/38 (McCain / Lieberman)
Obama / Sebelius
42/45 (McCain / Huckabee)
40/41 (McCain / Romney)
41/38 (McCain / Pawlenty)
41/42 (McCain / Lieberman)
Obama / Rendell
40/47 (McCain / Huckabee)
48/39 (McCain / Romney)
49/37 (McCain / Pawlenty)
48/45 (McCain / Lieberman)
Obama / Hagel
40/42 (McCain / Huckabee)
42/41 (McCain / Romney)
42/36 (McCain / Pawlenty)
40/41 (McCain / Lieberman)
------------------------------------------
NM : Obama: 44 McCain: 44
Obama / Edwards
47/44 (McCain / Huckabee)
48/42 (McCain / Romney)
47/38 (McCain / Pawlenty)
47/41 (McCain / Lieberman)
Obama / Sebelius
38/48 (McCain / Huckabee)
35/47 (McCain / Romney)
36/43 (McCain / Pawlenty)
35/44 (McCain / Lieberman)
Obama / Rendell
36/48 (McCain / Huckabee)
36/45 (McCain / Romney)
37/41 (McCain / Pawlenty)
36/42 (McCain / Lieberman)
Obama / Hagel
33/50 (McCain / Huckabee)
36/47 (McCain / Romney)
36/42 (McCain / Pawlenty)
35/44 (McCain / Lieberman)
This shows that for a relatively unkown Obama the VP nominee will make some difference. CW often suggest that few people vote on VP picks. I'm doubtful that will hold this cycle. And, perhaps, comfort (which is what I think the Edwards offer) is more important the experience (which my personal pick Wes Clark offers). Anyway, some interesting numbers to chew on. The Edwards difference is really remarkable.
http://www.surveyusa.com/...
LizzyPop posted this poll as I was writing out this diary. I'm not going to pull the thread, but see Lizzy's diary. http://www.dailykos.com/...