Claremont (US): Barack Obama today rode a double-digit opinion poll lead on the eve of the crucial New Hampshre primary, threatening another ominous blow to Hillary Clinton's White House hopes.

The rivals set out on slushy roads for a punishing day of rallies in a last ditch campaign blitz with the former first lady searching for an opening to halt the blazing momentum Obama has enjoyed since winning the Iowa caucuses.

Republican John McCain meanwhile looked to lock in his advantage over rival Mitt Romney, who needs a strong showing after a grim second last week in Iowa.

As Clinton asked sharp questions about Obama s experience, and suggested his soaring rhetoric masked a paucity of achievement, her rival settled into the role of front-runner, pouring scorn on her tactics.

"I find the manner in which they ve been running their campaign, sort of, depressing lately," Obama told ABC television, chiding Clinton for warning he was offering American's "false hopes." Clinton thrust home her new theme that Obama s explosive rhetorical style reflected a "a talker" rather than "a doer."

Latest polls showed Obama had stretched his advantage in New Hampshire, making him the favorite going into tomorrow s crucial nominating clash.

A USA Today/Gallup survey gave the 46-year-old senator a 13-point lead over Clinton, while a CNN/WMUR tracking poll showed Obama leading her by 10 points.

The two polls had previously had the two tied.

For the first time, also, more New Hampshire voters saw Obama as the Democrat most able to beat a Republican rival in the race for the White House, according to the CNN/WMUR poll, which gave Obama an edge of 42 percent to 31 per cent over Clinton on "electability."

Source : PTI