Obama Surges Past Clinton in New Poll

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And while not as dramatic Republican John McCain has opened up a four point lead over Mitt Romney, former governor of neighboring Massachusetts who has campaigned practically as a favorite son. This according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll conducted from January fourth through the sixth.

The poll results highlight the meteoric rise of the 46-year-old senator from Illinois, who would be the first African-American nominated by a major party for president, and the 71-year-old senator from Arizona whose cash-strapped campaign was dismissed as all but dead last summer.

According to Obama supporter and former state Democratic chairman, Joe Keefe."New Hampshire always has this insurgency bias. The voters decide they're going to upset the conventional wisdom and, given the opportunity, they will change the page of history."

Anointed national front runners, Clinton and Romney, are struggling in New Hampshire after setbacks in the Iowa caucuses last week. She finished third, behind Obama and former North Carolina senator John Edwards, and he finished second behind former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee

. Huckabee ranks third in New Hampshire. Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, until recently the leader in national polls, is tied with Texas Rep. Ron Paul for fourth.

Clinton supporters say they have the money and organization to soldier on whatever happens here. Mark Penn, Hillary Clinton's chief strategist, notes "President Clinton lost the first five states (in 1992) and he not only won the nomination but the presidency."

Others claim that Obama's victory in Iowa has cost Clinton the aura of electabillity. In December, Democrats in New Hampshire said, 47%-26% that she had the best chance of winning in November. Now, by 45%-34%, Obama is favored on that point.

"After Iowa, electability comes down to this: Winners win and losers lose, and that's about it," says Dante Scala, a political scientist at the University of New Hampshire.

McCain narrowly trails Romney among Republicans but leads him among independents by almost 2-1. They can vote in either primary. In a USA TODAY poll in December, Romney had led McCain by seven points overall.

Obama leads by eight points among Democrats and 23 points among independents. Women split between them evenly; he owes his lead to his edge among men, 49%-20%. Obama also leads narrowly among seniors and by an overwhelming 3-1 among voters under 35.