McCain opening up big lead in S.C, poll says

A new poll shows that Republican John McCain might win South Carolina as handily as George W. Bush did four and eight years ago.

McCain had a 59 percent to 37 percent lead in this state over Democratic rival Barack Obama, according to a recent American Research Group poll. Four percent remained undecided.

McCain's support was stronger among male voters and older voters, but 13 percent of Democrats also indicated they would vote for McCain. Only 2 percent of Republicans indicated they would vote for Obama.

Bush had a strong showing in South Carolina in 2000 and 2004, when he won by margins of roughly 3-2.

Some wondered if this year's presidential race here might be closer because not only did Obama receive two times more votes than McCain in this state's presidential primaries in January, but more voters cast ballots in the Democratic primary than in the Republican one.

But in recent weeks, the presidential campaigns have begun to focus more on the familiar battleground states such as Ohio and Florida.

While it's unlikely that any candidates will visit — or even advertise much in — South Carolina,

Obama supporters have been conducting an aggressive voter registration push.

Also, the Obama campaign is opening up its Lowcountry campaign office today at 4925 Lacross Road in North Charleston.

Independents favored McCain by a 55-37 margin, with 7 percent undecided.

It appears that neither Libertarian candidate Bob Barr, who is visiting Charleston on Sept. 30, or independent candidate Ralph Nader will be a factor. Only 1 percent of independents said they would vote for someone other than McCain or Obama.

Meanwhile, McCain led Obama by a 54-42 margin among voters younger than 49, but that margin opened to 65-30 among voters over 50.

The poll also showed a sharp racial divide, with 80 percent of white voters favoring McCain and only 16 percent favoring Obama, while black voters here favor Obama by an 84-11 margin.

The poll sampled 600 voters between Sept. 14 and 17 and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.