The first Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of California’s Democratic Presidential Primary shows Hillary Clinton leading Barack Obama by five percentage points. It’s Clinton 38% Obama 33% and John Edwards at 12%. Dennis Kucinich picks up 3% of the vote and 13% are not sure.

Obama is viewed favorably by 80% of Likely Democratic Primary Voters, Clinton by 78%, and Edwards by 68%.

Eighty percent (80%) believe Obama would be at least somewhat likely to win if nominated. Seventy-eight percent (78%) say the same about Clinton.

Sixty-four percent (64%) of Clinton’s supporters are “certain” they will vote for her and 65% of Obama voters say the same about their candidate. Just 50% of Edwards fans are that “certain” of their support.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of California’s Democratic Primary voters consider the economy to be a Very Important voting issue. Seventy-six percent (76%) say the same about Health Care. Government ethics and corruption is considered Very Important by 68% while the War in Iraq is that important to 62%.

Obama leads Clinton in South Carolina’s Primary, scheduled for January 26. Clinton leads Obama in Florida, a state that votes on January 29 (just one week before California). Nationally, in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, Clinton has a modest advantage.

A commentary by Dick Morris says it’s time for Edwards to get out of the race and that the former North Carolina Senator may hold Clinton and Obama’s fate in his hands.

In California’s Republican Presidential Primary, John McCain has a seven-point lead over Mitt Romney.

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