New poll: Obama has slight lead over McCain in 3 swing states

COLUMBUS — U.S. Hillary Clinton’s exit from the presidential race has given U.S. Barack Obama a boost over the presumptive Republican nominee, according to a new swing state poll.

The Illinois senator now outpaces U.S. John McCain, R.-Ariz., among likely November voters in Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania.

It’s the first time in several months that Obama has topped the McCain in all three states.

“Finally, getting Sen. Hillary Clinton out of the race has been a big boost for Sen. Barack Obama,” according to Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “He now leads in all three of the major swing states, although his margins in Florida and Ohio are small.”

For the complete story, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.