Andy Smith Doesn't Poll New Hampshire Without Independents

A new CNN/University of New Hampshire poll shows Sen. Hillary Clinton slightly widening her lead in New Hampshire and suggests that Sen. John Edwards has seen his support cut in half. Also benefiting just slightly outside the margin of error: ex-NM Gov. Bill Richardson.

Clinton         36%       27%

Obama        22%        20%

Edwards      12%       21%

Gore         12%         11%

Richardson   10%       4%

Without Al Gore in the race, Clinton's support jumps to nearly 39%, and the rest of the candidates all gain a few points. Clinton gets high marks for being a "strong leader" and is the most likely to win the general, per these 309 New Hampshire Democrats. Obama is seen as the most "likeable." 57% say Iraq is their most important voting issue.

All's well and good, but Barack Obama's Granite State support comes from independent men and women, and this poll ... does indeed account for them, despite what an earlier post insinuated.

The poll has a margin of error of +/- 5.5%.