US News

CLINTON’S GOT THAT ‘SWING’

WASHINGTON – Hillary Rodham Clinton would sweep John McCain in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida – three critical swing states in the presidential election – and she runs much stronger against McCain than Barack Obama does, according to a new poll.

In Florida, Clinton beats McCain 44 percent to 42 percent, whereas McCain is beating Obama 46 percent to 37 percent. In Ohio, Clinton beats McCain by 9 points, 48 percent to 39 percent, but Obama barely squeaks past him, beating McCain 43 percent to 42 percent.

In Pennsylvania, where Clinton and Obama are battling in a Democratic primary on April 22, Clinton beats McCain by eight points, 48 percent to 40 percent, but Obama leads by only four, 43 percent to 39 percent.

The poll, conducted by Quinnipiac University, reinforces Clinton’s argument that she is a stronger candidate than Obama in the states that often determine the winner in November.

Obama hopes to win by carrying states like Colorado and Virginia, where he performs better than Clinton.

Clinton is leading Obama by nine points, 50 percent to 41 percent, in Pennsylvania in the survey, in a contest that has been tightening. She had been leading by 14 points just a couple of weeks ago.

A new Public Policy Institute poll had Obama ahead by two percentage points, 45 percent to 43 percent.

geoff.earle@nypost.com