For the first time since Scott Rasmussen began polling the Democratic field in mid-January, Barack Obama has pulled even with Hillary Clinton. Obviously, that's only one poll, but if you look at eight polls contained in the latest RCP Average you'll see half of them peg Clinton's lead over Obama at well under ten points. Overall her lead is now down to 9.5% - which brings to mind the phrase "objects in rear view mirror may be closer than they appear."

We see the same pattern at the state level as well. Today a new Siena College poll shows Hillary's lead over Obama in her home state of New York at 22 points (39 to 17) which, while still substantial, represents a net 10-point drop from last month (43 to 11) and a 27-point decline since January (58-11).

Clinton's favorable rating has been falling as well - as you'd expect - dropping from a net favorable of +27% in January (60 fav/33 unfav) to a net favorable of just +8% this month (50 fav/42 unfav). According to the Siena poll Hillary's favorable rating is at the lowest it has been in two years while Obama's net favorable rating is holding steady at +32% (55 fav/23 unfav).

But the bad news doesn't stop there. In head-to-head match ups, Clinton's lead over Giuliani is now only 5% (48 to 43), down from 12% last month (51-39). Just as importantly, Barack Obama has moved ahead of Giuliani in the head-to-head matchup in New York by virtually the same margin (47 to 43), a seven-point swing in his favor versus last month when Obama trailed Giuliani 42 to 45.

Combine the data points and you have Obama's appeal over Hillary in a nutshell: "much more likeable, just as electable." If those trends continue around the country, then it may just be a matter of time before Hillary is the object in Barack's rear view mirror.