Read the full ABC News/Washington Post poll

Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton currently are running ahead of John McCain in a national match-up that reveals sharp differences among the electorate over ideology and the characteristics of the candidates, according to this ABC News/ Washington Post poll conducted Feb. 28- March 2. Obama bests McCain 50 percent to 40 percent, while Clinton leads him 50 percent to 44 percent, with a 3 point margin of error.

The Gallup daily tracking poll conducted March 3-5 shows no change from yesterday, with Clinton ahead 48 percent to 44 percent with a 3 point margin of error.

A SurveyUSA poll conducted March 5 after the Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont results were known has Clinton ahead of McCain 48 percent to 46 percent and Obama tied with McCain at 46 percent each.