A Monday poll shows the 2008 presidential race remains close in Wisconsin, though residents view the Democratic Party as better at handling important national issues.
The UW-Madison Survey Center poll showed U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., leading with 48 percent compared to U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at 41 percent.
McCain at 47 percent would win over U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., at 44 percent, but both scenarios are within the poll's 4 percent margin of error.
UW-Madison political science professor Katherine Walsh said the margin of error in these statistics shows there is no leading candidate in the state.
The poll also indicated the differing favorability ratings of the candidates dating from June 2007 to the present. Clinton's has remained fairly constant, currently at negative 7 percent, whereas McCain's has more than tripled to 20 percent and Obama's has been cut in half to 10 percent.
There are several explanations for the decrease in Obama's favorability rating, according to Walsh.
Because no one's battling [McCain] directly, maybe the gut reaction to him right now is generally positive compared to the Democratic candidates,"" Walsh said.
UW-Madison law and political science professor Charles Franklin said Obama's drop in favorability had less to do with the ongoing primary contests between the Democratic candidates than it did with previous supporters finding out about his policies.
The poll also indicates the public believes Democrats would do a better job with national issues such as the economy, foreign relations, Iraq and corruption in Washington D.C.
""What we're seeing reflected in the polls is a sense that the Republicans have had eight years to deal with these things that the public is largely dissatisfied with, both here in the state and nationally,"" Franklin said.
However, Walsh said these figures still do not ensure a Democratic victory.
""If John McCain can portray himself as strong on those issues then it won't necessarily matter so much if people see the Republicans as not doing as well as the Democrats,"" Walsh said. ""Part of that is distancing himself from the president, which he really hasn't done to date.""
