Washington: Barack Obama has taken clear leads over Hillary Rodham Clinton among white men, middle-income earners and liberals, allowing him to catch his faltering rival in their race for the US Democratic presidential nomination, a national poll has showed.

The Associated Press-Ipsos poll yesterday highlights how the bottom is falling out among some supporters of Clinton, the New York senator, since the last survey was taken two weeks ago. Since that poll, Obama has gained momentum by winning 11 consecutive primaries and caucuses while taking a small lead among delegates to the party's convention this summer.

The Illinois senator leads Clinton by 23 percentage points among white men and by 17 points among liberals groups that were evenly divided between the two in early February. He has a similar advantage among people earning USD 50,000 to USD 100,000 annually whom she led earlier by 13 points.

Clinton maintains robust leads among some groups that have been cornerstones of her candidacy, including those age 65 and up, white women and people earning under USD 50,000 annually.

Overall, Obama has 46 per cent to Clinton s 43 per cent, a virtual tie. Clinton had a slight 5 point lead nationally in early February.

Obama's advances are even more stark when viewed longer term.

In mid-January when primaries and caucuses were just beginning Clinton had a 7-point lead among all men, a group she now trails by 25 points. The two were about even among college graduates, whom Obama now leads by 20 points.

Source : PTI