New poll says McCain has the edge in NM

Republican presidential candidate John McCain has a narrow lead over Democratic opponent Barack Obama in a new poll of New Mexico voters.

McCain leads by four points, 45 percent to 41 percent, in the Mason Dixon Polling and Research Inc. survey conducted Aug. 13-15 for the Denver Post and Salt Lake Tribune. The New Mexico poll of 400 likely voters had a margin of error of five points, so McCain’s lead was within the margin of error.

The New Mexico survey was part of a six-state poll conducted for the newspaper. The poll found that of those Western states — Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — Obama led only in Colorado, where he was ahead by three points.

In New Mexico, the poll found, 14 percent of likely voters were undecided.

The poll contrasts with several polls conducted in recent months by Rasmussen Reports that have Obama leading in New Mexico, including one released last week that put him ahead by six points. That survey of 700 likely voters, conducted Wednesday, has a margin of error of four percentage points.

A SurveyUSA poll conducted in May had Obama and McCain tied in New Mexico at 44 percent apiece. It surveyed 600 likely voters and had a margin of error of 4.1 percent.

The Mason Dixon poll also quizzed likely voters on issues. In New Mexico, more voters said they trust McCain than Obama on the economy (46 percent to 43 percent), national security (55 percent to 34 percent), immigration (41 percent to 37 percent) and “developing energy resources and reducing dependence on foreign sources” (47 percent to 41 percent).

Obama had the edge only on protecting the environment and public lands (54 percent to 28 percent). But, according to The Santa Fe New Mexican, New Mexico voters appear to be more concerned about gas prices than conservation. In the poll, 45 percent said drilling was a higher priority than protecting the environment, while 39 percent said protecting the environment was a higher priority.