The hard-fought battle for the Democratic nomination has had its effect on North Carolina voters, according to a Charlotte Observer/WCNC-TV poll. Four in 10 supporters of Hillary Clinton say they would vote for John McCain if Barack Obama became the nominee, or sit out the election. Three in 10 Obama supporters said the same. While many primary voters get over their disappointment and back the party’s choice by the time the general election rolls around, the Observer said, “the N.C. numbers illustrate a rift that party leaders feared in recent weeks.” The poll was conducted March 29- – April 1.