The Pew Research Center issued a new poll today highlighting some of Senator Obama and Senator McCain’s strengths and vulnerabilities as they both try to nail down their party nominations.

The survey gives the Illinois Senator a nine-point lead (49-40) nation-wide over Hillary Clinton among all Democratic primary voters. It also shows him ahead of John McCain by seven-points (50-43) in a head-to-head match up nationally among all registered voters.

But the survey finds reason for McCain optimism. First, the poll reveals public attitudes about the war in Iraq have turned more positive. “47% now favor keeping U.S. troops in Iraq until the situation there has stabilized, the highest percentage expressing this view in well more than a year,” the Pew poll reports.

The report also highlights some potential Democratic base fissures that could handicap Senator Obama. “Overall, 20% of white Democratic voters would vote for McCain if Obama is the Democratic nominee,” the poll shows--double the percent of white Democratic support McCain would get in a Clinton-McCain race. Indeed, most parts of Senator Clinton’s base (seniors, lower-income, less-educated Democrats) would support McCain at higher levels if Obama were the nominee.

It also reveals a majority of Americans (56 percent) believe Senator Obama has not provided enough information about his policies and plans. Only 37 percent say Senator McCain has not provided enough information.

Pew also highlights some McCain soft spots. As he moves closer to securing the nomination, McCain has improved among Republicans, but has lost ground among independents and Democrats. For example, McCain’s unfavorable rating among independents rose by 13 points in less than a month, according to Pew. The poll also argues McCain’s age is an issue. It notes about a quarter (26 percent) think he’s too old and that proportion rises to near a third (32 percent) when voters are told he is 71 years old.

Read the full report.