Third Party Candidates lower Obama's chances of winning in key swing states. TIME/CNN POLL

[mzmolly]

TIME

In New Hampshire and Michigan, both states won by John Kerry in 2004, Obama is leading McCain 51% to 45% and 49% to 45% respectively. When Libertarian candidate Bob Barr and Independent Ralph Nader are added in, Obama's lead narrows in Michigan to 45% to 42% and just slightly in New Hampshire to 48% to 43%.

The news for McCain is better in Virginia and Missouri, both states won by President George W. Bush in 2004, where the Republican nominee leads Obama 50% to 46% and 50% to 45% respectively. With third-party candidates added in, McCain's lead in Virginia expands to 49% to 43%, though it narrows slightly in Missouri to 48% to Obama's 44%.

The polls found that Obama has problems attracting white voters. In Missouri, Virginia and Michigan he loses that segment, by 14 percentage points in Michigan and 20 points in Missouri. The only polled state where he wins the white vote is New Hampshire, where he leads McCain 51% to 44%. Among white women, a group that Palin has helped McCain appeal to, Obama trails McCain by double digits in all the polled states except New Hampshire.

[1corona4u]

1. Not according to Uncle Pat....

he says it wil hurt Mccrap. And he's not the only one to say that today...

[mzmolly]

3. Unfortunately recent polls dont back him up on that.

:shrug:

[DJ13]

2. Most third party candidates this time are on the right

I think its either a wash (with Nader being the biggest name) or an advantage to Obama due to Bob Barr drawing real conservative voters.

[mzmolly]

4. I wish there were some evidence of that?

One would think that is the case, but with Nader in the mix it harms Obama. I'd be interested in polls without Nader in this mix?