Ohio: Obama up 2 points

This Quinnipiac poll of Ohioans is from July 31 (ancient history) but since I wasn’t here back then here it is:

Obama has 46 percent to McCain’s 44 percent, compared to a 48 - 42 percent Obama lead last time

So it’s tightening in Ohio, as it is in the country as a whole. But the numbers have remained fairly steady all year, which is unusual. We’re not going to see any significant changes until the conventions and debates- barring bombshells.

Here are some other findings from the poll:

Obama gets 47 percent of Ohio women likely voters, to McCain’s 44 percent. Men split with 46 percent for Obama and 45 percent for McCain. White voters back McCain 49 - 42 percent, but Obama sweeps black voters 89 - 2 percent. The Democrat also leads 57 - 35 percent among voters 18 to 34 and 48 - 44 percent among voters 35 to 54, while McCain leads 48 - 41 percent among voters over 55.

In the First Lady matchup, Cindy McCain tops Michelle Obama 33 - 27 percent. Women split with 32 percent for McCain and 31 percent for Obama, while men prefer McCain 33 - 23 percent.

Ohio voters back 55 - 40 percent drilling for oil in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.

Looking for the best way to address the energy crisis:

* 57 percent call for renewable energy sources;
* 20 percent support drilling in Alaska and offshore sites;
* 7 percent back nuclear power;
* 7 percent say mandate higher mileage standards for cars;
* 5 percent say release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Voters split on which candidate has a better energy policy, with 34 percent naming Obama, 33 percent naming McCain and 33 percent undecided.

That last bit on energy was before Obama’s recent change of heart, so I’d expect some change there. This is difficult for him because he needs to satisfy the left too, and they’re a bit peeved about his compromises.

An interesting thing about this race is that after securing their respective nominations, Obama is moving to the right, while McCain is moving to the, uh, right.