CONCORD, N.H., Dec. 24, 2006

Clinton, Obama Neck And Neck In N.H. Poll

Last Month's Poll Had Clinton Up By 23 Points; Giuliani, McCain About Even Among GOP Voters

  • Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. Photo

    Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.  (AP)

(AP)  Two weeks after Sen. Barack Obama's first trip to New Hampshire, a new poll shows him about even with Sen. Hillary Clinton among likely voters in the state's 2008 Democratic presidential primary.

Among participants in the Concord Monitor poll, 22 percent said they would vote for Clinton if the primary was held now, and 21 percent said Obama. That put them slightly ahead of former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, who was at 16 percent.

Last month, a Monitor poll showed Clinton leading Obama by 23 percentage points.

"I'm not surprised because Barack Obama got five days of constant media attention in New Hampshire," said Jim Demers, a Democratic activist who accompanied Obama throughout his visit. "Obama has demonstrated to the people of New Hampshire that he's a top tier candidate."

On the Republican side, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain are about even, with Giuliani at 26 percent and McCain at 25 percent. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is next with 10 percent.

The telephone poll of 600 likely voters was conducted Monday through Wednesday by Maryland-based Research 2000 and had a sampling margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. The likely voters for the Democratic and Republican primary totaled 400 respondents each. For those questions, the margin of error was plus or minus 5 percentage points.

In hypothetical general election matchups, Giuliani has a slight lead over Clinton, while Clinton and McCain are about even. Obama is slightly ahead of both Giuliani and McCain. Edwards is tied with McCain and about even with Giuliani.

"There are a lot of independents. These are the same people who loathe Bush, loathe the Iraq war," said Del Ali, president of Research 2000. "But deep down, they don't like Hillary Clinton."

The numbers don't mean much roughly a year before the primary, some experts cautioned. President Bush, for example, held a double-digit lead over McCain in a New Hampshire poll nine months before the 2000 primary.

"You will have this tremendous amount of energy and motion to secure the allegiance of about 5,000 people," said Charlie Arlinghaus, president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy. "And nobody else is going to start paying attention until after the summer."

©MMVI, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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by fleshmonger6 December 25, 2006 12:44 AM PST
I am not a racist nor am I sexist but I cannot help but feel that even if democracy hasn't been highjacked by this or that deceitful covert act which I firmly believe that it has, it would still seem to me to be too soon for a woman or a black candidate to expect to carry enough of the country to win a national office. So even though I would gladly vote for anyone who seemed to me to be the best person for the job, regardless of color or ***, I can't help but feel that if either one of them wins their parties nomination, it would be a guaranteed defeat for the democrats in the next presidential election.
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by cavalrysct19 December 25, 2006 2:39 AM PST
I dont see the problem with a Black man as president some of the most trustworthy and generous men I know are. But to have a woman as president I think is just crazy. Once a month shes going to take a personal hiatus because all these questions are "Agitating" her. I'm sorry but i have never met a single woman i felt had the skills required to be a president and I haven't seen anything in Hillary to make me change my mind.
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by randalds December 25, 2006 3:37 AM PST
Obama for president and any other major democrat other then Hillary for Veep. Not because she's a woman, but because she just has too much baggage.

Obama/Edwards works. Obama/Kerry is nice too. Obama/Clark would be my choice. The best would be Gore/Obama, but that's wet dream, not a ticket. But Hillary on top of the ticket? I'd vote that way because every republican candidate that's declared so far is a piece of sh*it, but she's not my first choice.

Obama IS the new JFK and I hope he has great security, because the real powers that be (the neocons behind Bush) will kill him if they get the chance They'll shoot him dead and blame a lunatic. Of course they are insane themselves, but still.....
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by randalds December 25, 2006 3:39 AM PST
Mark my words. If Obama declares someone will try to kill him. That's just the sick way it is in American politics. We don't elect our best men, we assassinate them.
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by randalds December 25, 2006 4:53 AM PST
Bush or his supporters are not above killing Obama if it looks like he'll be too dangerous to their plans. They are that bad, that dangerous.
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by czarhezar December 25, 2006 8:57 AM PST
fleshmonger,

"I can't help but feel that if either one of them wins their parties nomination, it would be a guaranteed defeat for the democrats in the next presidential election."

I absolutely agree.
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by ademeyer December 25, 2006 10:04 AM PST
This is depressing. "Conventional Wisdom" seems to say that bright, principled, non-corrupt people cannot be elected to national office in this country. Obama and Rodham-Clinton, naaaa...they are too "good" for us...we want more sleezy, power abusing, white guys. God forbid Democrats should nominate a person who might lead us out of the mess Bush made. They won't win. Don't they know excellence doesn't succeed in the US? We only reward incompetence and admire people of inherited wealth and position. Gee, I wish Paris Hilton was old enough to be elected to office. Hilton/Jeb Bush...now thats a winning ticket. Who says Republicans are sexist?
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by perception5 December 25, 2006 10:30 AM PST
See how powerful our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack is?? They can take someone like Obama combine it with months of good old liberal MSM propaganda and create what they want .......some competition for the DNC race for President........ on the opposite side look what our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack has done to Bush, Chenney, and Karl Rove....... thru phony stories, doctored photos, and lying book deals.....
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by December 25, 2006 10:42 AM PST
unfortunately, hilary is poised to take the nomination. I am happy for her. If Obama doesn't take it now, he'll never get it again. He's ripe. What's sad is that the two of them cannot put their heads together and lead this country. I blame Hilary for that. Obama would make a nice vice president to Hilary. But she can't do it...she wants to choose, instead of following the people. There are a lot of conservatives who would vote for Obama. His book signing in Texas (Texas!) yielded a full crowd of mostly 'white' faces. This guy's got the juice.
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by loneranger54-2009 December 25, 2006 10:45 AM PST
america is not ready for a black president if obama runs for president. he will be a target. bad enough you got muslims trying to run the country
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by December 25, 2006 10:48 AM PST
loneranger54

only in this country do you get this kind of ***. I agree with you, but it sickens me. Here is a man twice as morally sound as Clinton. He has a loving wife, well adjusted young girls and he's a beautiful person. There are plenty of white people who have already said they would vote for him...that's what's so astonishing. And some screw up will try to kill him because he's black.

Ignorant, racist people shouldn't be given power.
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by geneo76 December 25, 2006 10:48 AM PST
Why not drag Bill out of retirment and run a Clinton(Hillary for Pres.)/Clinton(Bill for Veep) ticket. Now that would be a tuff one to beat!!
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by tibu987 December 25, 2006 1:35 PM PST
Neither Hillary or Obama will be viable candidates for the Dems.
As an independent voter who favors the Dems I may have to vote for Giuliani depending on who is his running mate. Like Democrats not all Republican's are created equal. It is quite possible that we may not suffer another of Bush's ilk.
Obama lacks the experience required for the most important position in the world. Also, his relations with corrupt politicians in Illinois must be questioned.
Hillary? Well, Hillary is just that, Hillary and nothing more. I see no value there.
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by randalds December 25, 2006 2:21 PM PST
Giuliani won't make it out of the republican primaries. He's pro-choice and pro-gay rights, so the church mice that have a stranglehold on the republican base will stop him. Shame too as he'd probably make a decent president.
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by elgraz December 25, 2006 3:09 PM PST
GEE,
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT *** WAS A CENSORED WORK. EVERYONE HAVE BEEN CALLING ME THAT FOR YEARS.
Reply to this comment
by elgraz December 25, 2006 3:09 PM PST
I THOUGHT THAT "***" WAS THE SHORTCUT FOR RICHARD...........I'M SO CONFUSED.
Reply to this comment
by elgraz December 25, 2006 3:10 PM PST
HOW ABOUT DICKIE..........IS THAT LESS OFFENSIVE ?
Reply to this comment
by elgraz December 25, 2006 3:10 PM PST
HEY CBS CENSORS...........YOU ARE MORONS.
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by elgraz December 25, 2006 3:13 PM PST
I THINK THAT HILLARY HAS TO GET LAID........IT MAY HELP HER.
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by elgraz December 25, 2006 3:13 PM PST
BUT, SHE COULD BE A TRANSVESTITE.......THINK ABOUT IT PEOPLE.
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by kaliveotin December 25, 2006 11:26 PM PST
It's going to be Hillary and that scares the hell out of the Republicans. The only Republican who has a chance against her is McCain, but a Gingrich or Gulliani against Hillary election would be more fun. If it's Hillary and McCain who'd be the bad guy, there might have to be third independant candidate for the right wing bigots and homophobes. Honestly, I think Hillary would be a more ***-kicking commander in chief that ANY of the other candidates.If anything she would be more apt to use overwhelming force. She'd be more concerned about looking weak or timid. Few would be quick to accuse McCain. Gulliani or Gingrich of being reticent to use Military power.
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by bobgee_1999 December 25, 2006 11:54 PM PST
Unless I didn't wake up in America today, you'd have to be crazy to think either Obama or Clinton has any kind of chance whatsoever. One isn't white, and the other isn't male. If this is what the Dems offer in '08, they haven't got a prayer, and they know it. It's already over. The best we can hope for is that someone in the Rep party isn't entirely corrupt. Good luck, and good night.
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by Free Citizen December 26, 2006 2:19 AM PST
RandalDS is right but don't count your chickens yet bobgee_1999, Edwards might just come around. I always root for the underdog.
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by ralynna December 26, 2006 4:02 AM PST
Al Gore should be the Dem nominee.
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by tibu987 December 26, 2006 1:36 PM PST
This is more like show business than politics.
Hillary, the female vote.
Obama, the black and liberal vote.
Edwards, the photogenic, handsome (women) vote.
Now, let's look at qualifications.
Oh yeah, I remember, that has little to do with it.
'Nuff said.
Reply to this comment
by mikevilkin December 26, 2006 3:08 PM PST
No matter who becomes our next president, our borders will be open for countries of South America. Expect from 100 million to 200 million new pilgrims - and a second civil war. Actually, it will be an ethnic war.
They will "spik no englis", they will have guns, and they will be determined to make America a Spanish-speaking country.
Just ask your favorite politician how many Latinos will be allowed to settle here, and when we will stop.
Reply to this comment
by mikevilkin December 26, 2006 3:21 PM PST
Folks, do you remember a definition of an empire? First and foremost, it's a collection of different peoples speaking different languages and having different interests.
American Empire is collecting all human garbage from all over the world, especially from Mexico. Our jails are overloaded with Mexican criminals.
They sell drugs, steal cars, trash neighborhoods, and we can not do anything.
I think American Empire will disintegrate in the next 20 or 25 years. The bad part is that disintegration will not be peaceful. More likely, it will be ugly and bloody.
Folks, buy assault weapons while they are available. In a few years, only Latinos will be allowed to have guns in order to protect themselves.
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by hhhss-2009 December 26, 2006 4:38 PM PST
She isn't the darling of the media world and they will do her in by the time the decision by DNC is made ..George Soros and others extremist wants Obama in not her because she can think for herself and they want a yes person .
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by bildooreilly December 26, 2006 4:38 PM PST
Fact is neither party of crooks and liars has any suitable candidates, Obama couldn't even get reselected here in IL, the only reason he won in the first place is because his opponent was Alan Keyes. Times for dims and repukes to put their crappy parties who both have the same failed agenda behind them and do what's right for America and get rid of all these political prostitues selling out our country.
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by vancouverboo December 26, 2006 4:43 PM PST
Might as well try a woman or a negro. Any port in a storm.
Reply to this comment
by kaliveotin December 26, 2006 7:56 PM PST
Hey Boobgee 1999, You seem to still be living in 1999. The people of our United Stetes are a lot smarter than they were in 1999. Back then, few remembered what a Republican President and Congress would do to our nation. Thank GOD, they've awakened. Not one Democratic incumbant lost in the recent congressional election. On the other hand rebukelicans fell like flies. Happy New Year. Next election the people will take back the government and can begin trying to undue all the debt and ill-will we've acquired.
Obama won't beat Hillary or Edwards in my opinion but any Democrat will beat any Republican in 08, as long as Democrats remember that they controlled government for so long because of an education, farmer, labor, civil-rights, senior, small business co-alition which believes in the inherant need for government to provide for the "General welfare" AND the "COMMON DEFENSE". Go HILLARY GO.
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by randalds December 26, 2006 11:43 PM PST
She isn't the darling of the media world and they will do her in by the time the decision by DNC is made ..George Soros and others extremist wants Obama in not her because she can think for herself and they want a yes person .

Posted by HHHSS at 04:38 PM : Dec 26, 2006


Obama? A "yes person"?

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

Whew! That's a good one!
Reply to this comment
by fascistusa December 27, 2006 12:21 AM PST
Better decide NOW on the 2008 election.

How better can the Government and our PROPOGANDA for News control you?

I guess WE THE PEOPLE have to assume that NOTHING will change in the next 2 years. Nothing at all.

Nope. We probably won't see Families spending the holidays

TALKING ABOUT HOW FASCIST OUR COUNTRY IS!!!!
Reply to this comment
by ihatebush1 December 27, 2006 10:22 AM PST
Now I'm really pissed "newster1"....

Who the... Who do you think you are????

America is not as racist and gender-biased as you!

I watched "North Country" last night which was based on a true events. It was absolutely shocking how the men kept telling their female co-workers how they don't belong up there...

Calling them all kinds of sexually explicit names in the work place. Assulting them, groping them, bullying them, placing sexual toys in their lunch boxes...

All the while telling them that they have no place there; that it's men's work...

But the entire time. The women just kept on DOING THEIR JOB!

I'm so mad right now I could just spit!

People like you are so closed-minded and plain stupid. You need to take back what you wrote and apologize.

That would be like me saying that well since short people are stupid... They can't be doctors....!

Or maybe a man has no place being a nurse...!

Stop judging people by WHAT they are and give them a chance to show you WHO they are!

I wish that Dr. Martin Luther King was still alive. Whether you hate him or love him. He was right when he said let's judge people by the content of their character you ***.

[I added on the you *** part.]
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by ihatebush1 December 27, 2006 10:24 AM PST
[I added on the you bas*ard part.]
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by ihatebush1 December 27, 2006 10:26 AM PST
Wait...
I meant you stoopid bast*ard "newsletter1".
Reply to this comment
by ihatebush1 December 27, 2006 10:28 AM PST
I'm still pissed...

How dare you say "a woman" or some "half black guy"....?????

What have you done with your life tough guy!?
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by nyckate December 27, 2006 3:09 PM PST
We've seen the damage that can be done by electing a 'popular' candidate through the last 6 really tough years - so sorry - Obama simply does not have the track record to be president and neither does Hillary - she's just starting her second term as Senator. We also don't have the "luxury" of placating those who say its time for a "fill-in-blank" person to be president - the country is in bad shape and needs a knowledgeable, intelligent capable person who can make and understand international and domestic and military policies that are badly in need of fixing.
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