Barack Obama’s lead over Hillary Clinton has dwindled in the Democratic nomination fight, while in general election match-ups, both Democrats hold slim leads over John McCain, according to a CBS News poll conducted March 15-18. The margin of error in this poll is 3 percent. This poll reflects the same slippage for Obama in other national and state polls, both against Clinton and a general election match-up, against McCain. Many of these polls have suggested the twin beatings Obama has suffered on the issue of his experience and the controversy over racially divisive remarks by his ex-pastor have taken a toll.

Here are the highlights:

– Obama leads McCain 48 percent to 43 percent, a smaller margin than his 12 point lead in February. Clinton leads McCain 46 percent to 44 percent.
– McCain leads both Democrats among independent voters.
– Obama has the highest favorable rating among the three.
– Obama’s advantage among males has slipped, while Clinton has increased her support among women.
– Sixty-seven percent of Democrats believe that the fight will go down to the convention and 44 percent think the battle will weaken the eventual nominee in the Fall.
– Thirty-six percent of Obama supporters would be angry if the nomination was decided in Clinton’s favor because of the superdelegates and 56 percent would be disappointed.