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Ear to the Ground

Americans Want a Democrat … or McCain

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Posted on Mar 12, 2008
McCain
AP photo / Stephan Savoia

According to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, Americans want the next president to be a Democrat, by a whopping 13-point margin. But when asked about the candidates by name, John McCain pulls into a statistical tie with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Even though only 31 percent of voters say McCain agrees with them on the issues, many have a positive view of him, including the majority of Republicans who say they’d rather have another nominee.

It’s hard to imagine another Republican candidate able to overcome that large an unfavorable view of their party, which is why The Wall Street Journal says McCain gives Republicans “a fighting chance.”

(h/t: Political Wire)

Wall Street Journal:

Measures of the candidates’ appeal in the poll help explain why Democrats nationally are deadlocked between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. While Sen. Clinton has an edge with voters on experience and leadership, Sen. Obama rates higher than ever on traits such as likability that reflect a greater connection with voters.

[...] A couple findings in the new poll capture how conflicted Americans are. By a 13-point margin, 50% to 37%, registered voters say they would prefer a Democrat to be elected president. When asked to choose specifically between Arizona Sen. McCain and either Democrat, the results in each case are a statistical tie.

Illinois Sen. Obama edges Sen. McCain by 47% to 44%, while Sen. Clinton, of New York, beats the Republican by a near-identical 47% to 45%. The poll, which surveyed 1,012 registered voters March 7-10, has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.

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By kath cantarella, March 13 at 8:46 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Mr Bomb-bomb-bomb Iran

is polling around 45%?

That’s just plain creepy. US politics feels like the twilight zone.

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By Grousefeather, March 13 at 5:18 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Don’t let the media marketing and public relations efforts on McCain’s behalf fool you. If he was really a decent and honorable man, he wouldn’t be a Republican!

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By Grousefeather, March 13 at 5:13 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

It seems to me that if John McCain was really a decent man he wouldn’t be a Republican!

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By Jaded Prole, March 13 at 4:45 pm #
(67 comments total)

It’s easy to understand the crossover here. There really isn’t that much difference between these three corporate candidates, Let’s face it, any of them could choose Joe Leiberman as VP and it would be a good fit.

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By Jaded Prole, March 13 at 4:45 pm #
(67 comments total)

Splitting Hairs

It’s easy to understand the crossover here. There really isn’t that much difference between these three corporate candidates, Ket’s face it, any of them could choose Joe Leiberman as VP and it would be a good fit.

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By Artboyz, March 13 at 7:38 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Poll scmoll!

The poll is irelavent. McCain is already the nominee. Clinton and Obama are still duking it out. The democrats are split right now, and can’t be expected to make an accurate projection as to who they would vote for if their candidate lost. There is no evidence that repubs have a chance of winning the presidency except for this kind of MSM polling. The horse race goes on.

Now the MSM’s narrative is that McCain has a shot. But its really a 3-way tie. Two thirds are going for democrats. Does anybody but Tweety and Timmeh think that when the primaries are over the losing dems are going to jump ship and vote republican.

The MSM’s strategy is to attack the front runner until the others catch up and then start attacking the new front runner. And the horse race goes on.

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By VillageElder, March 13 at 6:24 am #
(102 comments total)

Listening to “Left, Right & Center” Monday, I heard on of the commentators say that all three of these candidates are to the right of Eisenhower and Nixon.  After some reflection I agree wih the observation.

The American citizenry wants national health care, better education, a cleaner environment, the social security system and an end to the Iraq folly.  Given the progressive desires of the people how did we end up with three conservative candidates running on the nonworking class ticket.  The war on the middle/working class goes on.

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By Douglas Chalmers, March 13 at 5:16 am #
(2932 comments total)

Mock'racy.....

The Demo-Crazies are now all busily buzzing with hatred and antagonism for each other. The two camps will NOT vote for each other’s candidate as a presidential nominee and they will NOT accept that their candidate could become VP never mind accept the other candidate as VP.

I have the perfect solution....... just vote for the Republican ticket and go back to sleep, uhh!

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By a human being, March 13 at 4:47 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

the last few presidents have been = BUSH > CLINTON > BUSH > ?CLINTON? = ?MCCAIN?. Wow, either we are really stupid as a people or we are being led to believe we are actually getting a fair election process. Well, apparently its going to get worse for US very soon. Words of advice: RIGHTOUSNESS > SIN…

OBAMA I pray for, as well as all of US

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By weather, March 13 at 2:44 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

A poll's very construct

is built to be flawed. Today all bets are off.

Trust, but verify is out of touch. Distrust, question and confront.

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