Obama, McCain Show Nov. Strength

In a series of new general election matchups, Barack Obama and John McCain fair far better in the November contest than their top rivals for the Dem/GOP nominations, Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney.

In a Hotline average of four weekend polls, Obama leads McCain 48-44% and Obama leads Romney 55-36%. Clinton, however, trails in a matchup with McCain 47-45%, but Clinton leads Romney 52-40%.

Cook Political Report/RT Strategies:

Clinton 48%, Romney 42%
McCain 45%, Clinton 41%

Obama 50%, Romney 41%
Obama 45%, McCain 43%

CNN/Opinion Research Corp.:

Clinton 56%, Romney 41%
Clinton 50%, McCain 47%

Obama 59%, Romney 36%
Obama 52%, McCain 44%

ABC News/Washington Post:

Clinton 53, Romney 41%
McCain 49%, Clinton 46%

Obama 59%, Romney 34%
Obama 49%, McCain 46%

Fox News/Opinion Dynamics:

Clinton 50%, Romney 36%
McCain 45%, Clinton 44%

Obama 51%, Romney 33%
Obama 44%, McCain 43%

(MATTHEW GOTTLIEB)