From the new CBS/NY Times poll, taken May 1-3 (full results,.pdf)
OBAMA’S HANDLING OF WRIGHT SITUATION (Among registered voters who have heard about Wright)
All Voters Dem Primary Voters
Approve 60% 68%
Disapprove 23 22
Half of voters think Obama’s comments on Wright were appropriate, but one in four voters (and slightly more Republicans) would have liked him to have gone further in his rejection.
OBAMA’S COMMENTS ON WRIGHT WERE...
(Among registered voters who have heard about Wright)
All Voters Dem Primary Voters
About right 52% 53%
Not critical enough 26 24
Too critical 6 9
Almost half – 47% - of voters see political motivation as the main reason behind Obama’s decision to renounce his minister. Fewer, 34% think the split came mainly because Obama disagreed with things Wright said.
The poll suggests that Wright had a bigger impact on Republicans than Democrats:
The general election is six months away, and most voters do not expect Wright’s impact to linger in their own minds. Only about one in ten say this will affect their November vote a lot. But more say it will matter to most people they know. The impact appears strongest among Republicans who are much less likely to vote for any Democrat.
And on the head to heads:
IF THE CANDIDATES WERE..., WHO WOULD YOU VOTE FOR? (Among registered voters)
Now 4/30 4/3/08
Obama 51% 45% 47%
McCain 40 45 42
Undecided/DK 5 6 7
IF THE CANDIDATES WERE..., WHO WOULD YOU VOTE FOR? (Among registered voters)
Now 4/30 4/3/2008
Clinton 53% 48% 48%
McCain 41 43 43
Undecided/DK 3 5 5
It's crystal clear the so-called "firestorm" was more in the minds of beltway bloviators (as well as conservative talking heads who have nothing else to talk about) than in the minds of the voters, some of whom would <gasp> never vote D in the first place. Others figure Obama was tested and passed.
In any case, Clinton and Obama both clean 71 year old Republican McCain's clock in this poll. So, media, can we talk about the issues now?