Opinion: A mixed bag for Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain

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Looking for a sign that your candidate is destined for the White House?

Go no further than Rasmussen Reports daily presidential tracking poll, which today offered nuggets of hope to every candidate left in the race.

For Hillary Clinton: a one-point lead among Democrats nationwide over Barack Obama. That’s within the margin of error, but she and her camp will take it (as they also bask in the strong lead she’s staked out in Pennsylvania roughly four weeks out from its April 22 primary).

For Obama: the enduring faith of Rasmussen’s predictions market, which gives him a nearly 80% chance of capturing the Democratic nomination and a 46% chance of winning the presidency (which is higher than the figure for Clinton or Republican John McCain). Also, equal or better poll numbers than Clinton against McCain in swing states such as Ohio and Colorado.

For McCain: An eight-point lead over either Democrat in national polls. Much higher ‘favorable’ ratings than either Clinton or Obama, likely the bi-product of the Democrats’ continued skirmishing. Fifty-four percent of poll respondents view McCain favorably compared with 42% who view him unfavorably. Forty-two percent view Clinton favorably versus 55% unfavorably. Obama has also dipped into more-unfavorable-than-favorable territory, with 47% favorable and 51% unfavorable.

Still, for either Democrat, Rasmussen projects a lead over McCain in electoral college results based on state-by-state polling.

Like we said, something for everyone.

-- Jim Tankersley

Jim Tankersley writes for the Swamp of the Chicago Tribune’s Washington bureau.