The survey taken at the beginning of the week found 44 percent of Democrats nationwide favoring New York Sen. Clinton compared to 41 percent for Illinois Sen. Obama with the Super Tuesday primaries right around the corner.

Gallup said Friday that the Democratic survey was taken prior to former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards' withdrawal from the race. Edwards ended his run with 12-percent of the vote among those surveyed.

John McCain enjoys more breathing room on the Republican side. The Arizona senator polled 39 percent of the GOP vote compared to 24 percent for Mitt Romney and 17 percent for Mike Huckabee.