As I noted earlier today, Hillary Clinton continues to maintain a wide lead in Pennsylvania, but there are indications that her lead may not be as stable as it looks:
New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has something in common with former Republican Sen. Rick Santorum. A large percentage of Pennsylvania voters dislike both of them.
In fact, greater percentages of voters here have consistently viewed Mrs. Clinton unfavorably than Mr. Santorum, according to a review of data from a respected statewide poll.
(…)
A Franklin & Marshall/Times-Shamrock Newspapers poll in mid-February showed 43 percent of voters had an unfavorable opinion of Mrs. Clinton, the same as a month ago and three percentage points lower than a year ago.
Of course, polls are only snapshots of sentiment at the time they are taken. But consistent unfavorability ratings above 40 percent are dangerous for a candidate.
“The negatives (unfavorability) prevent you from growing (in popularity),” Dr. Madonna said.
By comparison, Mr. Santorum’s unfavorability rose from 32 percent in September 2005 to 37 percent the same month of 2006 and 46 percent the week before he was trounced by Democrat Bob Casey.
Mr. Obama’s unfavorability rating was at 27 percent and Mr. McCain’s at 26 percent, both up from 15 percent a year ago.
Numbers like this could provide Obama with an opportunity to cut into Clinton’s lead, and support his argument that she has electibility problems.
