Biggest albatross: Bill, Bush, Wright?

One of the three will be our next president. Each has strong credentials. But each also has an albatross around his or her neck.

According to the latest USA TODAY/Gallup Poll published this week but taken before Barack Obama's North Carolina sweep and Hillary Clinton's Indiana squeaker, here are the burdens the three bear among likely voters in November:

*38% say they are less likely to vote for John McCain because of his link to President Bush.

*33% say they are less likely to vote for Clinton because of her husband, ex-president Bill.

*33% say they are less likely to vote for Obama because of his association with his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

If the poll is correct, overcoming those obstacles seem most difficult for Clinton, pretty tough for McCain, not quite as arduous for Obama. Here's why:

Some public love and admiration ...