The NYTs poll

Has some much needed good news for Obama.

Here are some highlights.

70% believe the gas tax holiday was proposed because it would help the candidate politically versus 21% who thought it good policy. 51% say the gas tax holiday is a bad idea. (But remember, this is a national survey of ALL voters and we cannot conclude from this data that the tax holiday is not favored by a majority of Democratic voters in NC and IN.)

60% approve of the way Obama has handled the Wright controversy with 73% saying they do not think it will hurt him in November.

There is even more interesting data when the voters are asked to rate the candidates on certain specific issues.

Will the candidate be the kind of President to unite the country?
Obama 52%
Clinton 48%
McCain 39%

Hillary tanks on honesty. Does the candidate say what she/he believes?
Obama 53%
McCain 51%
Clinton 34%

Or, does the candidate say what she/he thinks people want to hear?
Clinton 62%
Obama 43%
McCain 41%

But Hillary score best on toughness. Is the Candidate tough enough to make choices confronting a president?
McCain 71%
Clinton 70%
Obama 58%