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Richard Piatt reportingWhile a majority of the state's superdelegates support Sen. Barack Obama, most Utahns do not. That's according to an exclusive Dan Jones poll for Eyewitness News.
If the election were today, most Utahns would elect Sen. John McCain, according to our poll. But the poll shows Obama does have something in Utah: His supporters indicate more passion about their candidate.
If independent voters and voters ranging in age between 18 and 34 years old turn out in heavy numbers, November's election could be much more favorable to Obama. However, considering a poll of 252 voters -- most over the age of 40 -- McCain would be the winner if the election were today.
The Eyewitness News exclusive Dan Jones poll shows McCain over Obama, 54-31 percent. Only 12 percent are undecided.
Voters also have a more favorable impression of McCain right now. There's a 58 percent overall favorable rating, with 34 percent unfavorable.
Obama has a higher unfavorable rating overall, but more people, 21 percent, say he makes a "very favorable" impression. McCain's "very favorable" is only 13 percent.
"The interesting trend to watch over the next few months is: Can these passionate Obama people make inroads on the moderates and undecided?" said Kirk Jowers, with the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah.
For perspective, most of the people in the poll consider themselves conservative -- 54 percent. Thirty-two percent say they're moderate, and only 10 percent said liberal.
Obama also has a clear obstacle to negotiate in Utah: Forty-seven percent say that adding Sen. Hillary Clinton to the Obama ticket would hurt his campaign.
As an African-American, race would not be a detriment, according to 69 percent of the people in the poll. And here's something else that could make this an important election year: Sixty-three percent say they're interest in the 2008 election is "high."
"I think interest is off the charts this year," Jowers said.
The primary season has dragged on so long that a lot of people are ready to vote now, but the campaign season has just started, and a lot can happen between now and November.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
