CBS 8 POLITICAL ANALYST STEVE FLOWERS
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FROM CBS NEWS: THE CAMPAIGN 2008 MONEY RACE

ALABAMA VOTER INFORMATION

ALABAMA PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RESULTS

From Campaign 2008 -- New opinion polls suggest Hillary Rodham Clinton has pulled even with Barack Obama among Democrats nationwide.

The Pew Research Center's poll found 47% of those surveyed favored Obama, while 45% preferred Clinton. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 3 points.

In March, the Pew poll had Obama enjoying a 10-point lead.

A CNN-Opinion Research Corporation poll also has the two Democratic presidential candidates in a statistical tie. However, it gives Obama a 20-point advantage among Democrats surveyed when they are asked who they think will win the party's nomination.

The Pew poll suggests both candidates' images are taking a hit. It also suggests an increasing number think the lengthy nominating race will hurt the party.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

From Campaign 2008 -- A new poll adds support to Hillary Clinton's claim that she'd do better against John McCain than Barack Obama would do.

The poll by the Associated Press and Ipsos finds Clinton leading McCain by nine points in a head-to-head matchup.  An Obama-McCain matchup is about even.

Clinton has been gaining ground with the help of independents, young people and seniors. She now leads McCain 50% to 41%.  About three weeks ago, both candidates were running nearly even with McCain. Since then, Clinton won the Pennsylvania primary. And that victory again raised questions about whether Obama can win in big states in the general election.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

From Campaign 2008 --She may still be trailing in the delegate count for the Democratic presidential nomination but Hillary Clinton's Pennsylvania primary win has brought more cash to her campaign coffers.

Clinton's campaign now says $3.5 million dollars was donated in the hours after her victory -- her best-ever overnight fundraising performance.

Earlier this week, her campaign revealed it had just over $9 million in the bank at the end of March, with $10 million in debt. Barack Obama began April with more than $40 million dollars to spend.

Clinton says she wants new debates before the May contests in North Carolina, where the flush-with-money Obama is favored -- and Indiana, where the two are close.   
      
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

From Campaign 2008 -- Wetumpka Mayor Jo Glenn reportedly says she will not seek a third term as mayor.

According to the Wetumpka Herald, Glenn says she is pleased with the positive growth and progress in Wetumpka and is proud of what has been accomplished while she has been in office.

She says that after her term expires, she will spend some of her newfound spare time with her family -- especially her grandchildren.

From Campaign 2008 -- The Republican race for president of the Alabama Public Service Commission has turned into a two-person contest. Matt Chancey of Chelsea entered the race Thursday. Former state Republican Party Chairwoman Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh had announced earlier.

Chancey has worked on political issues and campaigns in Montgomery and Washington, but this is his first race for public office.

Former Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley is the lone Democrat in the race, so far.

Friday is the deadline for Republicans and Democrats to enter the race.
      
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

From Campaign 2008 -- Republican John McCain is still the favorite of Alabama voters when matched against either Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton or Barack Obama.

That's according to a statewide poll of likely voters, conducted for the Press-Register of Mobile. The survey also found that 45% feel the economy is the nation's biggest problem, up from 30% in mid-February.

The telephone survey of 413 registered voters was conducted between Mar. 24-27 by the University of South Alabama Polling Group. The margin of error is plus or minus 5 percentage points.

McCain was favored by 52 percent to 30 percent of those surveyed against Clinton while 5 percent picked another candidate and 13 percent didn't know or didn't answer.

Going head-to-head against Obama, McCain was chosen by a 57-33 percent margin. Another 2 percent chose a different candidate and 11 percent were undecided or didn't answer.
       
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

From Campaign 2008 -- Nine-term Democratic congressman Bud Cramer who represents North Alabama has shaken up the state's political landscape by announcing he would not seek re-election in November.

The surprise retirement leaves little time for campaigning before the state's June third party primaries. It also opens up a competitive district that Republicans have long eyed as a potential pickup opportunity.

The filing deadline for the primary is just a few weeks off, on April 4th. Already a host of names were being mentioned as potential candidates.

The 60-year-old Cramer, of Huntsville, is part of a vanishing breed in Congress of conservative Democrats from the South. The announcement stunned fellow lawmakers in Alabama and Washington.
      
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

     JOHN McCAIN