Obama has narrow lead on McCain

Democrat Barack Obama has a narrow five-point lead on Republican John McCain in the US presidential race, but holds a big early edge with the crucial swing voting blocs of independents and women, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released yesterday.

Two weeks after clinching the Democratic nomination and kicking off the general election campaign, Mr Obama leads McCain by 47 per cent to 42 per cent. That is down slightly from Mr Obama's eight-point advantage on Mr McCain in May, before Senator Hillary Clinton of New York left the Democratic race.

But Mr Obama holds a big 52 per cent to 30 per cent edge among independents and 51 per cent to 36 per cent among women - two critical voting blocs that could help determine the winner in November's presidential election.

"Mr Obama's significant lead among independents puts him over the top, and that's a problem for Mr McCain," pollster John Zogby said. "Mr McCain is going to have to appeal to independents in some way to win, and right now he has a lot of work to do."

Mr Obama, 46, must still overcome questions about his relative lack of experience, the survey showed. More than half of likely voters agree with criticism the first-term senator from Illinois does not have the necessary experience.

Questions about Mr McCain's age - he will be 72 in August and would be the oldest person to become president if elected - do not resonate as strongly with voters, the survey found. Nearly two-thirds disagreed with the idea that Mr McCain's age should be a factor in the presidential race.

"The experience question is a hurdle for Mr Obama, but so far voters seem to have other things on their mind, like change," Mr Zogby said. "Age is an issue for McCain, but it doesn't appear to be an overwhelming problem."

Mr Obama, who would be the first black US president, triumphed early this month after a gruelling five-month Democratic nomination fight with Mrs Clinton. Mr McCain clinched the Republican race in March. But Mr Obama did not get a bounce in polls out of his victory. After the long nominating race voters are already familiar with the candidates and settling into a pattern, Mr Zogby said.

"This race is starting out very close, and barring something dramatic is likely to stay close at least until near the end," he said.