After a tough April for Barack Obama, the number of Republicans who believe he would be a formidable candidate against John McCain has dropped from 54 percent this month to 37 percent in a poll conducted April 25-27 by Rasmussen Reports. That’s just above Hillary Clinton who clocks in at 35 percent, although that number is up from 20 percent. Forty percent of unaffiliated voters say Obama is the most electable Democrat compared to 35 percent for Clinton. The New York Times reported yesterday that Republicans now are seeing Obama as a liability for the Democratic ticket.

Democrats believe Obama is the stronger candidate by 51 percent to 37 percent. Adding up all voters – Democratic, Republican and unaffiliated – 44 percent say Obama is the stronger candidate compared to 36 percent for Clinton.

Rasmussen also says that 34 percent of Democrats believe she should drop out ofthe race, compared to 32 percent earlier this month and 22 percent in late March. Twenty-two percent of Democrats say the same of Obama.

Meanwhile, an AP-Ipsos poll today says that in a general election match-up Clinton leads John McCain 50 percent to 41 percent, while Obama is in a virtual tie with him at 46 percent to 44 percent.