Looking down the road to May 13, Senator Hillary Clinton holds a huge lead over Senator Barack Obama in the West Virginia Presidential Primary. The first Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the race shows that Clinton attracts 55% of the Likely Democratic Primary Voters while Obama is supported by 27%. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure.

Clinton is viewed favorably by 72% of West Virginia’s Primary Voters, Obama by 53%.

By a 48% to 31% margin, the West Virginia voters believe Clinton will be the stronger general election candidate against John McCain. However, by a 47% to 35% margin, they believe Obama will win the nomination. Even 32% of Clinton voters expect Obama to be the Democratic nominee in 2008.

If Obama is nominated, just 42% of Clinton supporters say they are even somewhat likely to vote for him against McCain. Eighteen percent (18%) of Clinton voters say that they are Not Very Likely to vote for Obama and 35% say they are Not at All Likely to vote for Obama.

On the other hand, if Clinton is nominated, 57% of Obama voters are at least somewhat likely to vote for the former First Lady.

The economy is the top voting issue for 51% of Likely Primary Voters. Overall, 53% say the focus should be on reducing the income gap between rich and poor. Thirty-nine percent (39%) say the focus should be on creating more economic growth.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) say that Obama has received better media treatment than Clinton. Just 16% believe that Clinton has benefitted from media preference.

Nationally, Obama holds a very narrow lead over Clinton in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

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