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CAMPAIGN TRAIL

July 24, 2008

Democratic hopeful Barack Obama holds a sizable lead over Republican John McCain in New Jersey, according to a poll released yesterday. The Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey Poll found Obama leading McCain 50 percent to 36 percent among likely voters. It found each candidate backed by 75 percent of his own party members and independent voters supporting Obama 30 percent to 26 percent. New Jersey hasn't backed a Republican presidential candidate since 1988. The state has 15 electoral votes. Obama also has a slight lead nationally over McCain among registered voters, according to the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update.

The rules in the Obama household for Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, are: "No whining, arguing or annoying teasing," their mother, Michelle Obama, told People Magazine. Make the bed. Set your own alarm clock. The likely Democratic presidential nominee and his wife are determined his bid for the presidency not disrupt their two daughters' childhood.