Illinois Sen. Barack Obama crushes Arizona Sen. John McCain 56 - 35 percent among Connecticut likely voters, topping the Republican among every sub-group except Republican voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.


Sen. Obama leads Sen. McCain 86 - 9 percent among Democrats and 52 - 36 percent among independent voters, while trailing 79 - 16 percent among Republicans, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. The Democrat is ahead;
53 - 40 percent among men;
59 - 31 percent among women;
53 - 40 percent among white voters;
90 - 2 percent among black voters;
68 - 26 percent among voters 18 to 34 years old;
54 - 38 percent among voters 35 to 54 years old;
53 - 38 percent among voters over 55.

Connecticut voters say 53 - 35 percent that Obama should not pick New York Sen. Hillary Clinton as his running mate. Democrats like the idea 51 - 42 percent, but Republicans oppose it 66 - 18 percent and independent voters balk 54 - 31 percent.


"At this stage of the campaign, Sen. Barack Obama is rolling over Sen. John McCain in Connecticut. Quinnipiac University also has conducted surveys in seven swing states in the last two weeks and Sen. Obama is ahead in every one" said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.


"It still is very early in the campaign and Obama gets a bump from not having to run against Sen. Clinton any more, but for now, the Connecticut landslide looks like part of a trend."


"Obama is winning among the demographic groups where he seemed to be having problems when he faced Sen. Clinton: white voters, especially whites with less than a college degree," Dr Schwartz added.


If McCain picks Sen. Joseph Lieberman as his running mate, only 14 percent of Connecticut voters say they are more likely to vote Republican, while 32 percent are less likely and 52 percent say it won't affect their vote.


By a 61 - 23 percent margin, Connecticut voters have a favorable opinion of Obama, compared to 46 - 38 percent for McCain.


Because of his age, 23 percent of voters say they are less likely to vote for McCain, while 75 percent say it won't affect their vote. Obama's race won't affect their vote, 89 percent say.


The economy is the single most important issue in their vote, 55 percent say, while 21 percent cite the war in Iraq and 9 percent list healthcare.


Connecticut voters disapprove 78 - 19 percent of the job President George W. Bush is doing. Only 14 percent are "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with the way things are going in the U.S. today, while 85 percent are "somewhat dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied."


"Is President Bush just an impossible burden for McCain? In Connecticut, it appears to be so," Dr. Schwartz said.


From June 26 - 29, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,437 Connecticut likely voters with a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points.


The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research.


For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.


1. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack Obama the Democrat and John McCain the Republican, for whom would you vote?(If undecided q1) As of today, do you lean more toward Obama or McCain? This table includes "Leaners".