Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., left, a superdelegate and Clinton supporter, stands next to her at the swearing-in ceremony of Gov. David Paterson. Democrats would lose independent voters if Clinton won the nomination based on superdelegates, a poll finds.

ASSESSING THE CANDIDATES ASSESSING THE CANDIDATES A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday asked Americans whether particular characteristics applied to the major presidential contenders: Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois and Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona. The findings: McCain Clinton Obama Cares about the needs of people like you 54% 54% 66% Is a strong and decisive leader 69% 61% 56% Is honest and trustworthy 67% 44% 63% Shares your values 46% 45% 51% Has a clear plan for solving the country's problems 42% 49% 41% Has a vision for the country's future 65% 68% 67% Can manage the government effectively 60% 51% 48% Understands the problems Americans face in their daily lives 55% 58% 67% Would work well with both parties in Washington to get things done 61% 49% 62% Is someone you would be proud to have as president 55% 47% 57% Source: USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 1,025 adults taken Friday through Sunday. Margin of error +/ 3 percentage points. 2008: MCCAIN VS. OBAMA 2008: MCCAIN VS. OBAMA USA TODAY's interactive presidential poll tracker helps you dig into the polling trend lines in all 50 states and nationwide. WASHINGTON  A majority of Democratic voters say it would be unfair for Hillary Rodham Clinton to win the presidential nomination through the support of "super delegates" if she lags among the convention delegates elected in primaries and caucuses, according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll. If that happens, one in five say they wouldn't vote for the New York senator in the general election. FULL RESULTS: Potential voters sound off on Clinton, Obama and McCain The findings in the survey, taken Friday through Sunday, underscore some of the perils ahead for Democrats as the closely fought nomination battle between Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama continues. By 55%-37%, Democrats and independents who "lean" Democratic say an outcome in which Clinton lost among pledged delegates but prevailed with the help of super delegates would be "flawed" and unfair" — including 77% of Obama supporters and 28% of Clinton supporters. Super delegates are party leaders and elected officials who can vote at the national convention and aren't bound by the results of their state's primary or caucus. Most at risk is Democratic support from independents. Nearly two-thirds of those voters call that result unfair, and one-third say they would then vote for the Republican or stay home in November. "It goes back to this notion: As this race winds down, it's not how we started the campaign, it's how we end it," says Donna Brazile, campaign manager for Al Gore's 2000 campaign, expressing concern that divisions in the party will present "obstacles" to a Democratic victory in November. "I feel the emotions on both sides," says Brazile, herself an uncommitted super delegate. "I feel the pain and I feel the bruising." Obama leads Clinton by 1,617 delegates to 1,498, according to an Associated Press count. Neither candidate is likely to reach the 2,024 needed for nomination without including the support of super delegates. The two campaigns have clashed over whether the super delegates should feel obligated to support the candidate with the most pledged delegates. In the nationwide poll, Obama leads Clinton 49%-42% among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, a narrower margin than his record 12-percentage-point lead late last month. In another shift from the February survey, Clinton does better than Obama against the presumptive Republican nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, though the numbers are within the poll's margin of error of +/—3 points. Clinton beats McCain by 51%-46%. Obama leads McCain by 49%-47%. The survey of 1,025 adults also asked Americans to assess the traits of the major presidential contenders. Among the findings: •Obama rates highest on five of 10 characteristics. He is seen as a candidate who "understands the problems Americans face in their daily lives" and "would work well with both parties in Washington to get things done." His weakest showing was in having "a clear plan for solving the country's problems." •McCain ranks first on three characteristics: As "a strong and decisive leader," as honest and trustworthy, and as someone who could "manage the government efficiently." His lowest rating also is on having a clear plan to solve the nation's problems. •Clinton rates highest on two traits, on having a vision for the country's future and a clear plan for solving the nation's problems. Her lowest rating is as someone who is honest and trustworthy. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more