Poll Shows Big Shift for McCain, Obama

John McCain and Barack Obama's personal favorability ratings have soared in the last month Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama are the big winners in the aftermath of the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, a new poll shows. According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll, McCain has vaulted to the overall lead among Republican candidates for the first time in the survey. On the Democratic side, Obama has dramatically closed the gap between himself and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton: A month ago, Clinton led Obama 53% to 23%; now it is only 42% to 37%. The most dramatic surge for Obama has come from African-Americans, who supported Clinton by a 52-39 percent margin a month ago. Now, they back Obama by a 60-32 percent margin. Among likely voters, here's how the races for the 2008 presidential nominations stand: Republicans McCain: 28% Mike Huckabee: 20% Mitt Romney: 19% Rudy Giuliani: 15% Fred Thompson: 8% Democrats Clinton: 42% Obama: 37% John Edwards: 11% The poll also shows the following changes in the last month: McCain's rating within his party as its most electable contender has tripled. McCain's rating as the GOP's strongest leader has doubled. McCain has scored double-digit gains in trust to handle Iraq and terrorism. Three in 10 Americans say McCain's age dampens their enthusiasm for him. McCain’s personal favorability rating has jumped by 16 points, to 59&. Obama's personal favorability rating has jumped by 12 points, to 63%. Clinton's personal favorability rating has jumped by 8 points, to 58%. Edwards' personal favorability rating has jumped by 8 points, 57%. Huckabee's personal favorability rating has jumped by 21 points, to 42%. Giuliani's personal favorability rating has dropped by 4 points, to 46%. Thompson's personal favorability rating has dropped by 3 points, to 30%. Romney's personal favorability rating has jumped by 6 points, to 34%. Clinton leads among women voters, by 11 percent over Obama. A month ago, she had a 39-point lead. Obama leads among male voters, by 9 points over Clinton. 29% of voters say the U.S. economy is the most important campaign issue. 20% of voters say the war in Iraq is the most important campaign issue. 10% of voters say health care is the most important campaign issue.