The ongoing battle of words and intense rivalry between the two Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama is contributing to the growing popularity of the presumptive GOP nominee, Sen. John McCain. That’s what the U.S. pollsters are saying currently.

On Sunday, The Washington Times reported that Sen. John McCain has gained majority popularity in national polls and in critical states including Florida and Pennsylvania.

John Zogby, an independent election pollster, opines the rivals Obama and Clinton are hurting themselves by attacking each other. They are not only attacking themselves, but they are also hurting the Democratic Party. Zogby said, "It's been a bad couple of weeks for the Democrats, with Obama and Hillary continuing to snipe at each other, beginning the process of a thousand cuts."

According to Zogby, the Democratic candidates have suffered because of – "disunity and lack of clarity," Secondly, their inability thus far to break through to the swing voters, and thirdly, McCain is an appealing candidate, and finally, he is not George W. Bush."

Bill Richardson, the New Mexico Governor, who was an ambassador & energy secretary under President Bill Clinton, indirectly called for the former first lady to step aside, when he endorsed Obama on Friday. Richardson said, "My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver, but It is time for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall."

Meanwhile, Clinton Obama took a much-needed break from their presidential campaigns on Easter Sunday. While McCain, who has returned from an overseas trip, spent his Sunday, polishing up his foreign policy credentials and preparing for a fundraising swing through Western states this week.