The Hiller Instinct: Suffolk poll - New Hampshire

One of those states is New Hampshire.

John Kerry said, "I love New Hampshire" in 2004.

In 2004, New Hampshire was Blue...

But, in 2000, it went Red.

That's why it's a battleground in 2008 that both presidential candidates think they can win...

Our exclusive 7News Suffolk Poll shows almost a tie. Obama with a one point lead over McCain, 46 to 45, with 6% undecided.

The economy--the number one issue--is helping Obama and hurting McCain.

Among likely voters we surveyed, 36% blame the G.O.P. for the turmoil on Wall Street, 14% the Democrats, with others blaming neither party or undecided.

Suffolk University Pollster, David Paleologos says, "But among independents, the key people who will swing New Hampshire, the margin is blame Republicans by a 5 to 1 margin, and that could be the difference this time."

It doesn't appear Sarah Palin will be the difference in New Hampshire. While more than a third of the voters believe the media has been rough on her, more than half don't think she's qualified to step in as President if she had to.

"The press are doing due diligence and people are saying they're treating her harshly, but the fact is, because of that examination of her, people are concluding she's not qualified," Paleologos said.

In all our polls we ask, no matter whom you support, who do you expect the next President will be? In this poll, it was Obama 47%, McCain 37%. That tells me this race may not be as close as we think, in New Hampshire or nationally.

I'm Andy Hiller and that's my instinct

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