
McCain scrubs Obama's lead in new poll
In what could ring alarm bells for Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, his Republican rival John McCain has virtually scrubbed the 15 point lead enjoyed by the African American till last month with the two now locked in statistic dead heat.
The latest poll by Newsweek which the magazine itself said surprised the analysts showed that Obama was just three points ahead of McCain (44 per cent to 41 per cent) which is within the margin of error.
Less than a month ago, Obama was leading by 15 points 51 per cent to 36 against the 72-year-old Vietnam veteran and analysts scrambled to pinpoint the cause for the sharp drop as to whether Obama's glow is fading or there is some sampling error.
The 47-year-old's rapid drop comes at a strategically challenging moment as he faces accusations of changing his position on major issues and is struggling to woo supporters of Hillary Clinton, whom he vanquished in the nomination contest, still not reconciled to her defeat.
Obama's reversal of position on Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and his decision to opt out of campaign public finance system led to charges of flip flop.
In this context, a key finding of the poll was that 53 per cent of voters (and 50 per cent of former Hillary Clinton supporters) believe that Obama has changed his position on major issues in order to gain political advantage.
More seriously, Newsweek said, some Obama supporters worry that the spectacle of their candidate eagerly embracing his old rival Clinton and travelling the country courting big donors at lavish fund-raisers, may have done lasting damage to his image as an arbiter of a new kind of politics.

Jailed Navalny calls on supporters to protest after court jails him for 30 days

US lawmakers aim to curtail face recognition as technology IDs Capitol attackers

Trump orders assessment of security risks of China made drones in US govt fleet

Russia ignores appeals, sends Alexei Navalny to prison

Xi Jinping, PM Modi expected for 'virtual' Davos in era of pandemic

Biden names Rohit Chopra as director of consumer protection bureau

Pak EC suspends membership of 154 lawmakers over failure to submit asset details

FBI probes tip that woman stole laptop from Pelosi’s office to sell to Russia

Pandemic response probe team says WHO, China could have acted faster
- The panel also criticised WHO for dragging its feet at the start of the crisis, pointing out that the UN health agency had not convened its emergency committee until January 22, 2020.

China calls Pompeo 'Mr. Liar'; dismisses charge against Wuhan’s bio-lab

US Capitol lockdown lifted after fire in homeless camp brought under control
- The Capitol Police in a statement said the lockdown was lifted and the fire nearby was contained.

Donald Trump to issue 100 pardons, to leave for Florida before inauguration

Pak PM Imran pitches for border markets with Afghanistan, Iran

Biden aims for unifying speech at daunting moment for US
