McCain's poll numbers

There are some new polling numbers out in the presidential derby, and it's looking better for John McCain. From the Associated Press:

Republican Sen. John McCain has erased Sen. Barack Obama's 10-point advantage in a head-to-head matchup, leaving him essentially tied with both Democratic candidates in an Associated Press-Ipsos national poll released Thursday.

The survey showed the extended Democratic primary campaign creating divisions among supporters of Obama and rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and suggests a tight race for the presidency in November no matter which Democrat becomes the nominee.

McCain is benefiting from a bounce since he clinched the GOP nomination a month ago. The four-term Arizona senator has moved up in matchups with each of the Democratic candidates, particularly Obama.

An AP-Ipsos poll taken in late February had Obama leading McCain 51-41 percent. The current survey, conducted April 7-9, had them at 45 percent each. McCain leads Obama among men, whites, Southerners, married women and independents.

Clinton led McCain, 48-43 percent, in February. The latest survey showed the New York senator with 48 percent support to McCain's 45 percent. Factoring in the poll's margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, Clinton and McCain are statistically tied.

On a different note, McCain is suggesting a boycott of the opening ceremonies of the coming summer Olympics in Beijing.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee joined his potential Democratic opponents in saying China has not earned leaders' attendance because of its human rights record, thus answering a question that has become a major test for world leaders.

"I believe President Bush should evaluate his participation in the ceremonies surrounding the Olympics and, based on Chinese actions, decide whether it is appropriate to attend," the Arizona Republican said in a statement issued after he discussed the boycott on ABC's "The View" program.

"If Chinese policies and practices do not change, I would not attend the opening ceremonies."

He's absolutely right. In fact, I'd go a step further and say we shouldn't go anyway. National Review has it right. Giving the Chinese the games was a mistake from the start. It was political. All they wanted (and still want) is an opportunity to showcase a "new" China...when they're still playing from the same old sheet of music when it comes to democracy and human rights. The bigger a PR disaster this thing turns out to be, (the torch business is just the beginning), the better.