CA Polling Update - Obama Within MoE in LA and SF

This diary is mostly of the hit-and-run variety, but the LA Times just published a pretty comprehensive polling assessment of the Democratic state of play with one week to go.

Some highlights below the fold...

1)

The poll was conducted largely before Obama's victory Saturday in South Carolina and the subsequent high-profile endorsements of him by U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) and his niece, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg.

2)

Clinton maintained a 49% to 32% lead over Illinois Sen. Barack Obama among Democrats, despite losing some support in key voter groups

3)

Among those likely to vote in the Democratic primary, 3 in 10 said they could change their minds

4)

(and to my mind, most importantly)

In the Bay Area, where both campaigns have been airing ads, Obama was within the margin of error, with Clinton ahead 41% to 38%. In the Los Angeles area, the second major Democratic base, Clinton was ahead 45% to 39% -- again within the margin of error.

5)

Also complicating the vote Tuesday will be the role of independents [snip].... They will be allowed to request a ballot for the Democratic or American Independent primaries but not be allowed to vote in the Republican contest

I'll let these numbers go mostly without comment, except to say, I think Edwards voters have additional pressure to consider the viability of their candidate.  I say this because I have been an Edwards supporter, but decided last week that if Obama were within the margin of error by the end of this week in CA, I would vote for him.

I'm on record here saying I am not eager to see a Clinton restoration.  The issue for me in these primaries -- satisfied as I am that our remaining candidates all have innumerable issue strengths vis-a-vis the GOP -- is to promote a new chapter for this party.  With Barack Obama closing the voter gap and riding a clear wave enthusiasm that is bringing young people into the process in record numbers, I am ready to vote practically, for Obama.

These poll numbers give me hope that California's long calcified Democratic politics are primed for renewal with Obama as our titular head.