The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Washington

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton still holds a 20-point lead over her rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination but she and Republican front-runner Rudy Giuliani are in a dead heat, according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released on Wednesday. Among Democrats, Clinton leads with 47 percent, followed by Illinois Sen. Barack Obama at 25 percent and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards with 11 percent, NBC reported. Clinton's 22-point advantage over Obama in the poll is virtually unchanged since this summer. In the new poll, 76 percent of Democrats surveyed give Clinton high marks for being knowledgeable and experienced enough to handle the presidency, compared with just 41 percent who say the same about Obama, NBC said. When asked who was more likable, 72 percent said Obama versus 49 percent for Clinton. A majority, 65 percent, also viewed the Illinois senator as more honest and straightforward versus 53 percent who rated Clinton higher, NBC reported.