September 23, 2008 05:34 PM UTC

Obama Up 4, Udall Pulling Away In New Poll

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• by: Colorado Pols

Quinnipac’s latest:

Obama leads 55 – 40 percent among Colorado women likely voters, while men back McCain 49 – 42 percent. White voters back McCain 51 – 44 percent as Hispanic voters go with Obama 68 – 26 percent. Obama and McCain are tied 48 – 48 percent with voters 18 to 34 years old, while voters 35 to 54 back Obama 52 – 42 percent. Voters over 55 go 47 percent with McCain and 46 percent with Obama.

Obama will bring change, 46 percent of voters say, while 22 percent say McCain will bring change and 26 percent say neither candidate will bring change.

McCain’s selection of Gov. Palin as a running mate is a good choice, voters say 55 – 38 percent, and Obama’s selection of Sen. Biden is a good choice, voters say 52 – 32 percent.

But by a 49 – 42 percent margin, voters would rather see Biden as President. Women pick Biden 52 – 37 percent while men go 46 percent to Palin and 45 percent Biden.

The economy is the most important issue in the election, 51 percent of Colorado voters say. Obama better understands the economy, voters say 47 – 41 percent, while McCain better understands foreign policy, voters say 63 – 29 percent.

In the U.S. Senate race, U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, the Democrat, leads Republican Robert Schaffer 48 – 40 percent, compared to a 44 – 44 percent tie July 24. [Pols emphasis]

“Two years ago when the Democrats picked Denver for their convention, one of the main reasons was the hope it would help them win Colorado, which is shaping up as a key state in the Electoral College. Sen. Obama has come from behind to take the lead there and it is a reasonable assumption that the convention has something to do with this,” Brown said.

These are good numbers for Obama, certainly (although the tie among voters age 18-34 is a little strange), and it doesn’t hurt that Schaffer may be starting to crater. If Udall blows out Schaffer, that could be a deciding factor in an Obama victory in November.