The Huge Problem Facing Barack Obama

    The huge problem facing Barack Obama is clearly outlined in the latest Pew poll:

    A quarter of Democrats (25%) who back Clinton for the nomination say they would favor McCain in a general election test against Obama. The "defection" rate among Obama's supporters if Clinton wins the nomination is far lower; just 10% say they would vote for McCain in November, while 86% say they would back Clinton.

    Simply put, if this holds, Obama can't win a general election because over time, the independents who say they are backing him will begin to follow the same pattern and dwindle as well. He must reverse those numbers.