Democrat Barack Obama leads John McCain in the race for the White House 54 percent to 38 percent in the poll, up from a 50-41 margin in a poll taken in September, according to a report in the NJ Record.

The report said the poll indicates McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin hurt him with New Jersey voters. The September poll, taken two weeks after the Republican National Convention, found 47 percent of New Jersey voters had a favorable view of Palin, while only 28 percent had an unfavorable view. This week’s survey found Palin’s favorable rating had dropped to 37 percent, while her unfavorable rating increased to 54 percent.