Obama Beats McCain in California 54-37% and Wins All Groups Except Republicans in New PPIC Poll

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Clinton Also Prevails But By Slightly Lower Margin

By Frank D. Russo

The well respected Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has released a poll within the last hour showing Barack Obama winning the November election in California by 17 points and getting the largest prize of Electoral College votes of any state—53 of the 270 needed to win the presidency. Hillary Clinton also wins—by 12 points over McCain.

Obama leads in all subgroups except that of Republicans. He wins the white vote, does better with the Golden State’s women voters than men, and cleans up with independents and Latinos. He has higher favorable ratings (59% to 36%) than Clinton (46% favorable to 51% unfavorable) overall and his favorable ratings continue strongly with both Democrats and Independents.

The big loser here—John MCain—who has a 53% to 42% unfavorable rating with all likely voters and does poorly with Independents and Latinos.

This is a poll of a very large sample of Californians—2003 adults—with 1086 likely voters and a margin of error with likely voters of 3%. It was taken between May 12 and 18. The full poll is not yet available online to the public but the embargo was lifted as of 10 p.m. A link will be provided as soon as that is available.

Here are the details.

Favorable/Unfavorable Opinions

By a margin of 59% to 36%, all likely voters have a favorable opinion of Barack Obama. He is seen favorably by Democrats 78% to 18%, Independents 60% to 33%, and Latinos 69% to 25%. Even with California Republicans, 34% see him favorably and 59% see him unfavorably.

Hillary Clinton is seen unfavorably by 51% of all likely voters and favorably by 46%. She is seen favorably by Democrats 69% to 28%, by Independents 50% to 46%, and by Latinos 72% to 24%. Her unfavorable ratings with California Republicans is 81%, compared with 17% favorable.

McCain only has a favorable rating from Republicans—70 to 24%, but is seen unfavorably by all likely voters 53% to 42%, by the state’s Democrats 72% to 22%, by Independents 53% to 41% and by Latinos 53% to 36%.