Among Democrats, Clinton led in the survey with 37 percent support, to 20 percent for Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.). Former vice president Al Gore, who has said he has no plans to run, had the support of 17 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents; former senator John Edwards (N.C.) stood at 14 percent. No other Democrat received more than 3 percent.
In late February, Clinton led with 36 percent to Obama's 24 percent. Since then, Obama has not maintained the momentum he had shown in attracting black support. In the new poll, 43 percent of blacks preferred Clinton for the Democratic nomination and 34 percent preferred Obama.
Democrats remained far more satisfied with their field of candidates than did Republicans. Fully 80 percent of Democrats said they were very or somewhat satisfied with their choices; 65 percent of Republicans were satisfied with GOP candidates. Republican unrest has only increased in the past two months, providing a push to Thompson's possible candidacy.
Beyond the primaries, the survey paints the portrait of an electorate still evenly and deeply divided. Four of the six major candidates -- McCain, Clinton, Giuliani and Romney -- are considered unacceptable by at least 40 percent of all Americans.
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