Rasmussen Has Obama Way Up in NH But There's Good News in the Poll for McCain Too

    The first Rasmussen post-Iowa New Hampshire poll has Obama ten points ahead of Clinton -- 37%-27% -- with Edwards lurking in the high teens.
    But there's also good news in this Democratic poll for John McCain. Rasmussen estimates that 40% of the NH Democratic vote total will be composed of Independents. That's exactly the percentage of Independents in the  Democratic NH primary electorate in 2000 (when McCain beat George Bush in the other contest) -- which means that enough Independents should be left over to vote in the GOP primary on Tuesday and provide McCain the boost he needs.
    Right now, the auspices look favorable in NH for both Obama and McCain.

    Update: Rasmussen's numbers now show a five-point lead in NH for McCain. No surprise there. His poll today has the percentage of Independents voting in the GOP primary at 32%, down from 41% in 2000. McCain can survive that kind of drop -- but a drop to below 30% and he's courting disappointment.