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Gene Kennedy reportingRepublican presidential candidate John McCain visits Utah next week. Now, a new poll for KSL TV and the Deseret Morning News shows the Arizona Republican is gaining ground.
If the election were today, John McCain would win Utah 2-1, according to the latest Dan Jones and Associates poll. But at this point in the race, he's not as popular as you might think a Republican would be in Utah.
As for Senator Obama, some of his lead has slipped. That's helping John McCain, not Hillary Clinton.
Before Super Tuesday, Utah Republicans had their support with Mitt Romney; a lot of support. And John McCain? He "was somewhat looked upon with jaundice," says pollster Dan Jones.
But with Romney out, McCain is now the Republicans' only choice. Dan Jones and Associates surveyed 601 voters. Fifty-four percent said they'd choose McCain.
As for Democrats, Utah representative for Hillary Clinton, Donald Dunn, says, "I think the fact that John McCain's numbers are below 55 percent, there's hope for the Democrats. We've just got to figure out who the nominee will be."
Dunn is pushing for Hillary Clinton, but if this poll is any indication, there's not much chance she'll get much support in Utah. The poll shows her getting 11 percent of the vote; about as much support now as right after Super Tuesday. Barack Obama still has a sizable lead over her and today picked up an endorsement from New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. But since Obama's Super Tuesday win in Utah, he has slipped in the polls. Dan Jones believes Obama's background and the recent controversy about his pastor plays a role.
"No doubt in my mind that he would be much higher. This has caused the slippage in the Obama camp, but it's not going to Hillary," Jones said. "Instead of going to Hillary, they're going to McCain because they feel he would be better than she as president of the United States."
But Jones admits, in scarlet red Utah, a Republican would typically have more than 60 percent support right now. We'll see if it picks up for McCain.
Senator Orrin Hatch and former Governor Mike Leavitt will throw support his way when McCain visits Salt Lake City next week.
E-mail: gkennedy@ksl.com
