http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/76136.php
McCain's problems with Az conservatives creates opening for Romney
JACQUES BILLEAUD
The Associated Press
John McCain's difficult relationship with conservatives in his home state created an opening Tuesday for Mitt Romney to put up a fight in Arizona's Republican primary, according to preliminary results of an Associated Press exit poll.
Romney had strong support from Republicans who described themselves as conservative and those who believe illegal immigrants should be deported.
McCain, who has drawn the ire of some Arizona conservatives for his views on immigration and campaign finance, had overwhelming support from Republicans who described themselves as liberals and had an edge over Romney among moderates.
Meanwhile, in the Democratic primary, Barack Obama drew strength from voters who said the most important quality in a candidate was bringing about needed change.
Hillary Rodham Clinton had strong support among Democrats who said experience mattered most.
The poll of 1,755 voters was conducted for AP and television networks by Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International.
Results were from interviews of 899 Democratic primary voters and 856 Republican primary voters in 30 precincts across Arizona on Tuesday. Margin of sampling error plus or minus 5 percentage points for each primary. The samples include 304 Democratic voters and 308 Republican voters who voted early or absentee and were surveyed in the past week by telephone.
Donald Stallings, a 63-year-old Republican from Phoenix who supported Romney, said McCain was no different than a Democrat.
"I'm not a John McCain fan, and I tend more toward the conservative side of it, although I don't think we have a real conservative that has a possibility of succeeding in there, and I think that Romney probably fits the best with my own leanings," Stallings said.
But retired Air Force Col. Bill Peel, a Republican voter who supported McCain, said the Arizona senator is more conservative than he is given credit for.
"I think he works well with the Democrats," Peel said.
Romney held a lead among Republicans who believe illegal immigration, one of the most salient political priorities in Arizona, is the most important issue facing the company.
McCain had an edge among Republicans who ranked either the economy and terrorism as their top issue and was leading among those felt the war in Iraq was the top issue.
On a question about the most important candidate qualities, McCain scored well with voters who felt he says what he believes and overwhelmed Romney among those who felt McCain had the right experience and the best chance to win in November.
Romney was leading McCain among those who said the most important candidate quality was sharing their values.
Romney, a Mormon, excelled among voters from his own church, while McCain appeared to be leading among Catholics. Republican Mike Huckabee scored well among Evangelicals.
In the Democratic primary, Obama found support among men, including white men, and won overwhelming support among voters 17 to 29 years old. Obama also was leading among liberals.
Clinton held an edge over Obama among white women and was apparently ahead among voters 60 years and older. She had an edge among moderate Democrats.
More than half the Democratic voters said the economy was the most important issue facing the country, and Obama and Clinton split the voters among that category.
Obama was leading among voters who said the war in Iraq was the most important issue. Voters who said health care mattered the most were split among Obama and Clinton
Eric Heithaus, a 42-year-old guitarist from Tucson, said he voted for Obama because he believes the Illinois senator will end the war. "Of course, human life is the most important thing," Heithaus said.
Gloria Arellano, an administrative assistant from the Phoenix suburb of Ahwatukee, voted for Clinton.
"Obama to me is just a nice guy. I just think people are going to walk all over him like they did Jimmy Carter," Arellano said, noting that she believes the country was in better shape when Clinton's husband was president.