ALBANY - Black voter support is critical for Democratic presidential contenders in New York State, where Sen. Hillary Clinton tops Arizona Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican nominee, 49 – 37 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Friday. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama beats Sen. McCain 47 – 39 percent.

This compares to a 50 – 40 percent Clinton lead over McCain in a March 21 poll by the independent Quinnipiac University.  In that survey, Obama topped McCain 49 – 38 percent. A look at subgroups in the latest survey shows:

Clinton-McCain:  White voters split with 45 percent for McCain and 42 percent for Clinton; blacks back Clinton 65 – 16 percent.  Men split with 45 percent for Clinton and 44 percent for McCain; women back Clinton 53 – 31 percent.

Obama-McCain:  White voters back McCain 48 – 38 percent, as blacks go with Obama 83 – 8 percent.  Men support Obama 47 – 42 percent and women back the Democrat     48 – 35 percent.

“In presidential politics, New York shows the same ethnic split that we've seen in other states.  Sen. Hillary Clinton or Sen. Barack Obama beat Sen. John McCain by double digits – but  that’s because of the loyalty of black voters.  She splits the white vote with McCain. Obama loses it,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

New York State voters split 48 – 45 percent in their favorable/unfavorable opinion of Clinton.   Obama gets a 50 – 31 percent favorability, with 46 – 36 percent for McCain.