As with the new NY Times/CBS poll, the
Washington Post/ABC Poll has a great deal of information that
should cheer the McCain camp. In addition to his overall lead in
the polls he leads in commanding fashion on the categories of who
GOP voters think is best able to handle Iraq( 42-19% over Rudy who
is the closest; 6% Romney and 11% Huckabee), terrorism (40% to 24%
over Rudy with 7% for Romney and 12% for Huckabee) and even on
immigration(27% to 17% for Rudy; 11% for Romney and 15% for
Huckabee). It is much closer on the economy where there is a
statistical tie among Rudy, McCain, Romney and Huckabee and on
taxes( McCain 21%, Rudy 17%, Huckabee 15% and Romney 13%). The
closeness of the race in Michigan may be due to the fact that on
the economy, the top issue there, the candidates are on equal
footing. On personal attributes McCain leads overwhelmingly in the
strongest leader, honest/trustworthy, best chance of getting
elected, reflects GOP values, understands your problems and
experience. On bringing change it is much closer( McCain 22%, Rudy
and Huckabee 18% and Romney 12%).