Poll: Parties Differ On 2008 Prospects

Democrats Satisfied With Choices And Say They'll Win Election; Republicans Are More Pessimistic

(CBS)  If a new survey of registered voters is correct, a Democrat will win the 2008 presidential election, according to new CBS News/New York Times polls.

With more than 19 months to go before the 2008 election, Democratic voters are optimistic about their prospects — they like their candidates and they think their party will win the presidency in 2008. Not so for Republicans. Although there are many announced and yet-to-announce likely candidates for the Republican Party's nomination for president, GOP voters aren't happy: A majority — 57 percent — says they wish there were more choices. A significant number don't think their party will win in 2008.

Historically, Democrats have been skeptical of candidates for their party's nomination. In this cycle, at least for now, most Democratic primary voters are satisfied. Fifty-seven percent say they are satisfied with the candidates running for the Democratic nomination, while 39 percent want more choices. In August 2003, opinion was reversed and during the 1992 primary campaign, Democratic voters also were not satisfied.

Feeling About Democratic Primary Field
(Among Democratic Primary Voters)

Now
Satisfied
57 percent
Want more choices
39 percent

August 2003
Satisfied
33 percent
Want more choices
57 percent

October 1991
Satisfied
18 percent
Want more choices
64 percent

All of the major Democratic candidates get positive assessments from Democratic primary voters. There have been small changes in the assessments of Hillary Clinton and John Edwards since January, with a few more Democratic primary voters expressing negative views of those candidates. Meanwhile, positive assessments of Barack Obama have soared, especially among blacks.

In January, more blacks had a favorable view of Clinton than had a favorable view of Obama. Now the ratings among black Democratic voters are the same — two-thirds are favorable, and almost no black Democrats have unfavorable views or Clinton or Obama.

Rating The Democratic Candidates
(Among Democratic Primary Voters)

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Favorable
59 percent
Not favorable
17 percent

Barack Obama
Favorable
54 percent
Not favorable
9 percent

John Edwards
Favorable
44 percent
Not favorable
14 percent

Although there are many announced and yet-to-announce likely candidates for the Republican Party's nomination for president ion 2008, Republican voters aren't happy yet: A majority — 57 percent— wishes there were more choices. A significant number don't think the party's candidate will win in 2008.

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Read the complete results of the CBS News/New York Times poll on Republicans
Read the complete results of the CBS News/New York Times poll on Democrats

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And when Republicans today look at their own party, they see divisions within its ranks. Most say their party has drifted from the principles of Ronald Reagan: Seven in 10 say the GOP has gone off on a different path. They do unite on many issues, however — and on their clear dislike of Bill and Hillary Clinton.

The lack of satisfaction with the current set of candidates is a change from past presidential elections. Republican primary voters were more satisfied with their primary candidates in 1996 and 1992.

Are You Satisfied With The Candidates Running For The Republican Nomination?
(Among Republican Primary Voters)

Now
Satisfied
40 percent
Want more choices
57 percent

March 1996
Satisfied
50 percent
Want more choices
46 percent

February 1992
Satisfied
59 percent
Want more choices
35 percent

Conservative primary voters are more likely to want more choices than moderates, and 62 percent of white evangelical primary voters also say they want more choices.

Historically, Republicans have been more satisfied with their candidates than Democrats. But that's not true this year. A majority of Democratic primary voters say they are satisfied with their options for the nomination.

Moreover, six in 10 voters nationwide expect a Democrat will win the presidential election in 2008. Half of Republican primary voters expect a Republican will win in 2008, but more than a third think a Democrat will win. Democratic primary voters are much more confident a candidate from their party will win.

Whom Do You Expect To Win The Presidential Election?
(Among Registered Voters)

All Voters
A Republican
26 percent
A Democrat
61 percent

Republican Primary Voters
A Republican
50 percent
A Democrat
36 percent

Democratic Primary Voters
A Republican
8 percent
A Democrat
84 percent

Some of this is affected by views of the GOP candidates: Republicans who are satisfied with the choice of candidates running for their party's presidential nomination are more likely to be optimistic that the party will hold the White House.

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For detailed information on how CBS News conducts public opinion surveys, click here.

This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1,362 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone March 7-11, 2007. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher.

[randalds]

The only good thing Bush has done is to stink up the republican side with so much incompetence and outright sleaze that it'll stop thinking Americans from voting republican for a generation. Thanks Georgie!

[scott4261]

I shudder to think how I'll vote if Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee.

[randalds]

I shudder to think how I'll vote if Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee.
Posted by scott4261 at 06:06 PM : Mar 12, 2007

Me too. I suppose I'll hold my nose and vote for her though because I don't see any human beings running on the republican side yet. Sure hope we see Edwards, Obama, Gore or even Wes Clark on the democratic side though. In any combination. Then it'll be, to use a republican term, a slam dunk. ;-)

[scott4261]

I agree. The humans left the GOP while Ronald Reagan was president.

[bobbo1235]

cbs is a liberal tool, and your poll is worthless

[antoniof123]

I have had enough of the lies from this group and I know that I will not vote for any one of them again. Too bad that they got spoiled but if that is what power is then they should not have it.

[formerlib]

Yeah the Democrats are sure they are gonna win just like all those boxers who were sure they were gonna beat Mike Tyson. If you all think a woman or a black can win the presidency you are smokin something foul. Fact of the matter is that the worst GOP candidate is exponentially better than anything the Dems can produce. The American people won't vote for a coward as president and that is all the Dems have to offer.

I am very proud of Obama. Not only is he holding his own, he's even mustered an amazing 20,000 people rally in austin Tx! No black man since Fredrick Douglas can say that!

[Razzl]

Truly Giuliani is a gift to Republicans this time around--their most fundamentally sound candidate in the last HUNDRED YEARS, and coming at the moment when they have no other advantages whatsoever. Let's hope the evangelicals don't know what their savior looks like when he runs in their primaries...

[rafterman1]

"The American people won't vote for a coward as president and that is all the Dems have to offer."

Yeah, it takes real courage to send other people to their death. You're a f*cking hero.

[zootallures2]

The Republicans are not the incompetent ones. It is the peoples of US and A. A controlled demolition of 3 huge skyscrappers right in front of your face. Maybe Microsoft or Apple need to make the US Constitution more user friendly. I would have said Betty Crocker, but by now you are far too stupid and lazy to even add an egg. Maybe Staples can put the Easy Button on it...LOL!!!!

[atxpatriot]

Ron Paul has the right ideas. We need to go back to the Constitution and smaller government. The Republicans lost this past election because they strayed from these fundamental principles. Ron Paul is going to surprise a lot of people this election.

[scott4261]

If you righties think either Fred Thompson or Rudy Giuliani is going to save the Republican Party, you need your heads examined. Ain't gonna happen. The next president will be a Democrat. Count on it (and those of you who have Halliburton stock, I'd cash it in before the election!)!

[nevadarules]

My guess is Republicans will feel even worse they see Rudy's drag queen videos: http://www.solidpolitics.com

[sweet black angel]

Hey Folks
Forget Bush because he's done, he ain't running.

Now let's just take the two front runners at the moment Hillary & Rudy.

Hillary over Rudy? Thats some pretty powerful Kool-aid your drinking there partner, or I'm in the wrong Twilight Zone.

[randalds]

TWO WORDS....

FRED THOMPSON
Posted by richald at 09:03 PM : Mar 12, 2007


Might make it through the primaries. But is a Bush clone and does not stand a snowballs chance in hell of being elected in the general. You can thank George for that bit of truth.

[randalds]

The American people won't vote for a coward as president and that is all the Dems have to offer.
Posted by formerlib at 07:22 PM : Mar 12, 2007


I'm sorry, but I missed your declaration speech saying you were running. As soon as I read the word coward, well of course I thought of you. And Bush (a BIG coward) and Cheney (a Coward of historic terms) and McCain, who used to be a hero, but became a coward via his desire to become president.

[j0hnwi11iams]

You can see where Haliburton is placing its bets on the future. They KNOW they are going to LOSE and BIG.

[keesey2003]

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Political%20Tracking/Presidential%20Match-Ups/Kerryvs.GiulianiMcCain.htm

I think it's too early to tell which party will win. I don't think Hillary is viewed favorably enough to win. I would consider Obama, McCain and Rudy. Never would I vote for Hillary, we've already been down the road of having the Clintons in the White House and what that did for our national security. I guess we would have been more concerned about being bombed so many times in the 90's if we weren't so happy our tech stocks were doing so well.

And CBS, your polls are completely biased and worthless.

[kaliveotin]

Rudy was afraid to take on Hillary before. Now, its too late. His health will exclude him. The same goes for McCain. It's almost two years until the election. McCains batteries are already almost dead and Gulliani wont last emotionally, he'll blow it soon. He's a loose cannon and Republicans know it. None of the candidates are right-wing wackoos like Bush and Chaney, but remember Bush was very different as a candidate. Now the republicans have to defend they're corruption, incompetance and failed leadership. The majoritee of americans wouldn't have become opposed to the War in IRAQ if our commander-in-chief hadn't been a bumbling fool, and, of course, Bush is even worse.

[ski968]

Big surprise from a "reliable" and "unbiased" news(leftist propaganda) org. such as CBS.
Recently I was disgussing the 08 election with a liberal Obama supporter. He is under the delusion that we(RNC) will no doubt gravitate to John McCain. Does anyone with a brain really think what the opposition says about your party really matters? CBS sucks, Katie Couric sucks hence CBS ratings are going down the drain. The 06 elections have convinced the far left that they are the majority, you will all be crying election night.

[dontwc-2009]

Just because I am not happy with the choices for the GOP nomination does not mean I am satisfied with the other side. A pretty misleading poll. I will still vote Republican, unless it's McCain. He is evil. Then I'd stay home...

[teka10-2009]

During the last media push to soften up the American People for mass amnesty of all illegals, these same type of polls and stories came out. The Immigration Bill of McCain, Kennedy, Bush, Reid, Pelosi, The Daily Kos, The Lefty Bloggers, The Chamber of Commerce, The ACLU, The Immigration Lawyers, The CAtholic Bishops, Rove, Leahy,Pence Amnesty Bill, Big Ag Growers, Mexico, LaRaza debuts this week. "Friendly" media sources are running "sob stories" or "polls" this week. This time their goal is not to 'anger' the USA dullards who dare to think they are 'smart' enough to ever get to vote on this issue or even have a national refrendum instead of these "polls", but to make us believe amnesty is "inevitable".(Their own words) Meanwhile, Mayor Lou Baretta of Hazletown, with his rag tag band of rebel lawyers, working on funds from cash strapped Americans taking it from grocery money and utility money and dare I say gas money, is fighting this enormously rich Unholy Alliance. The judge in the case gave the illegals the 'legal' right to testify incognito against the Mayor and the Town, which seeks to enforce immigration laws already on the books. How Nice. I guess this is Mexican justice. You don't get the chance to face your accusers. And yeah, the 'ISM' you smell here is more like what came out of Germany about seventy years ago. Goebbels would be proud of the professional propaganda and sob stories.

[teka10-2009]

we do not have to accept the looney left's latest sacrifice in the 2008 elections. James Hoffa, Jr. Attorney. Ford Fellowship Winner. National Honor Society. Serious Football Player in High School and College. Devout Catholic. Family man. So why not him, or someone like him rather than Edwards, Clinton, Dodd or the rest of the Open Borders Crowd? Why not someone who is not a professional politican? And Hoffa Stands with Lou Dobbs on not opening our borders to unsafe, uninspected trucks which are NOT monitored with computers. The Mexican truck drivers are paid $25 a DAY. Terrorist threst? where? He is the ONLY AFL-CIO leader to stick up for American Working men and Women on 'guestworkers. The ONLY ONE. Union members put up with their leaders selling their jobs out 24/7. Insane. The SPLC said last night guest worker programs here are already like slave camps. But the propaganda sprews 24/7. 'Migrants' seeking 'The American Dream'. "A better life for the family. In reality they are slaves to their Corporate Masters. I would love to vote for James Hoffa Jr or someone like him. I see him talking to FoxNews, Talking to CNN, testifying before Congress, Talking to Glenn Beck, Talking on MSNBC, and who would not chose him over Edwards and that crowd running if given a chance? He likes the USA. He likes American workers. He thinks we are smart and dedicated. Worth Protecting.

[perception5]

Wow...... a poll by our corrupt liberal news/political organizations CBS and the NYTimes...... that's real creditable.....

These two liberal polictical organizations are a disgrace to this great nation.

Do you notice how they inflated Hillary's favorable's ?????? and did you notice how they didn't even report "favorables" on the GOP side??

Nice propaganda ....... are we in Germany?? is it 1938......?

[ski968]

Obama, Clinton and Edwards. Take your choice, anyone one of them will result in a return to appeasement and that will lead to millions of dead Americans as the Islamic Jihadists will get the break they need. Hopefully GW will whack the Iranians before he leaves office. Of course then we will have to listen to pacifists weep for our enemies.

[adventurepa]

The first Black Candidate and the first women candidate cancel each other out.
They need to unite to beat Rudy.
It's time to put politics aside and do what's best for the country, the people and the party.
Otherwise look to more years with the republican's in charge.
And I don't have to tell you what that means.
You already know.

[huskerarmy]

ski968, Pass that pipe this way man!

[sprvtr]

Try as they might, the election is still a long way off...anything can happen. However, I agree that the media will try the boiled frog theory....if you drop a frog in boiling water he'll jump right out. If you put him in the bucket and slowly warm the water, he'll boil to death without ever realizing what's happening. Same thing with spoon feeding the country these results. Makes the repubs doubt their own party's candidates.....President Hillary will take the oath and we'll all sit wondering how it happened.

[huskerarmy]

"Wow...... a poll by our corrupt liberal news/political organizations CBS and the NYTimes...... that's real creditable....."
Preceptions, Did you notice how they report what people are actually saying rather than making it all up? Since you apparently want the commercial reality that FOX creates out of whole cloth (Obama trained in a medrosa, plutonium found in Iraq,etc.) you know where to go.

[sprvtr]

Husker...did Fox News steal your candy or something?

[huskerarmy]

"Makes the repubs doubt their own party's candidates....."
LOL! Good God is everything a liberal media conspiracy for you reactionaries? Get real Sprvtr... A couple more candidates and the repubs will be known as "So what and the seven dwarfs."

[huskerarmy]

"Husker...did Fox News steal your candy or something?"
Fox reported that Obama was trained at a medrosa and that plutonium was found in Iraq. I know that neo-cons consider this version of reality as a mere "difference of opinion" but, to most it's considered "misinformation."

[sprvtr]

Actually, my comments are less a reflection on the media as it is to the voting public. The news is what it is...if you are a free thinking person you sift through the info you're given and form your own opinions. I would like to think that in addition, people would bother to read and listen to a variety of sources to make sure they're getting both sides. Sad but I think it rarely happens. As for my comment on the repubs...it's just human nature. People will hear the polling data and w/o so much as an internet query will say "we don't have any good candidates". Just the way it is.

[perception5]

"Makes the repubs doubt their own party's candidates....."
LOL! Good God is everything a liberal media conspiracy for you reactionaries? Get real Sprvtr... A couple more candidates and the repubs will be known as "So what and the seven dwarfs."
Posted by huskerarmy at 08:39 AM : Mar 13, 2007

.....Hey huskerarmy, who generated the fake CBS memos on Bush's guard duty???? What was their pals role.....the DNC's ???
Huskerarmy, there is a concept you need to start warming up to......... CBS has a long history of generating false stories......in order to prop up their corrupt pals and your pals the Dems...

[huskerarmy]

"Hey huskerarmy, who generated the fake CBS memos on Bush's guard duty????"
First of all, the story was true. There are dozens of witnesses who support it including a number of fellow guardsmen. But there is one person who would generate fake documents like that. The same person who might out a CIA agent or spread rumors about Texas governor Ann Richards being a lesbian, Max Cleland giving up secrets in Viet Nam, John McCain cracking under pressure while a POW. You get the idea... all is fair in love, war and politics. And Preceptions, there is something you might try "warming up to," the neo-con movement is breathing it's last breath.

[kirklapa]

The Democrats can not win with Hilary Clinton. She will not carry the South,nor portions of the Mid West or Texas. She probably can not cary New York with Rudy running as the GOP Presidential candidate.

[ineter]

This pole is meaningless. The "major" candidates on both sides are virtually identical and I for one am fed up with it. They are all in support of the war in Iraq and none of them speak up against expanding the war to other countires. They are all supporters of big government and reckless spending. They are all for increasing public control over private lives. They are all corrupted by big business and special interest lobbies and funding. They are all for allowing illegal immigration to run rampant and for our borders remaining open to terrosists. People need to stop basing their decisions on the the letter after a candidate's name and by only paying attention to names they've heard before. It's time people look at the INDIVIDUALS running.

If you want a president who will reign in the ever expanding cost of governement, a president who will keep us out of uneccessary foreign conflicts, a president who will protect our borders and crack down on illegal immigration, a president who supports individual privacy and freedom and the consitution, a president who does what he says and says what he means, and a president who is honest and not for sale, VOTE RON PAUL 2008! Register republican to support him in the primaries. If you're not familiar with Paul, do a little research. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[sprvtr]

If you honestly believe that Hillary can't win you are fooling yourself. I will not vote for her but I have the utmost respect for her and her camps campaigning abilities. I also have to say that she's earned points from me on her unwillingness to "apologize" for her vote on the war. Now there's a backbone unlike some of her fellow dems (men) who are just a bunch of whiney spineless metros.

[dallison7]

You right wingnuts want to cherry pick your polls just like you wnat to cherry pick intelligence. Drift along in your dreamworld losers. The rest of us are going to put a strong intelligent leader in the White House to clean up the incredible mess left by the Bush criminal regime. It will, no doubt, take years but any of the class acts that are available can do it:

Clinton/Edwards
Clinton/Obama
Edwards/Clinton
Edwards/Obama

I personally don't think Obama can take the top spot this time around... maybe 2016.

[kevin76o]

I think the Republicans have the best choices they have had in years. Bush has not been a shining star and will probably be more of an embarasment for the party than Clinton was for the Democrats. Rudy Giuliani would make a great president. He did so much to clean up New York, lower the crime rate and make the city a better place to live. So much of what he accomplished was before 9/11. Hilliary doesn't seem to like men and loves to complain and who is this Obama guy. If you ask me, this country needs a good spitired Itallian President and can bring this country together.

[sprvtr]

It will, no doubt, take years...

So if a Dem wins I suppose you'll be blaming Bush for years for every problem your party fails to solve. I can see the wheels turning already in your narrow mind.

One other thing, why can't honest people differ in their opinions without resorting to name calling....dallison7....you should be ashamed of yourself. I'm right wing but hardly a nut. I could be on a conservative web posting opinions with like minded individuals; however, I choose to visit sites where I can have a spirited discussion with those that differ. Unlike you, I don't automatically assume everyone with a different opinion is a nutcase.

[dallison7]

I can have a spirited discussion with those that differ. Unlike you, I don't automatically assume everyone with a different opinion is a nutcase.
Posted by Sprvtr

I believe you and anyone else who blindly supports this criminal administration is a nutcase... that's my opinion and you're being ugly to me about it.

[thrillham]

Dosen't look too good for the R's. Not a single one of those candidates is enough of a nutjob to lock up your loony demographic. Rudy is pro-choice, they don't like Mcaine because he's actually a thoughtful human being, and since he actually had the stones to serve (unlike a SINGLE one of the PNAC moral clarity contingent) he thinks twice before sending out 19 year olds to die under false pretenses. No, "protecting freedom" or some other jingoistic BS does NOT count. Romney is a Mormon, he'll never get the "Adam and Eve rode dinosaurs to church on Sunday" vote. Nope, I think some "god, guns, *** and abortion" type (think Fred Phelps) will end up running and siphoning off votes from the GOP candidate. I just can't wait for the consternation and hand wringing from the far right as Hillary (Oh god I just started to froth at the mouth and twitch) or Obama (he's so articulate, and I'm such a backwards wheat farming bigot!) gets sworn in, and *** Cheney's prognostications of impending doom for western civilization never manifest.

[sprvtr]

Hmmm...I actually thought my comments were kind and thought provoking. Oh well, you can't win them all. I'll say goodbye now to you good people. It obvious if I want spirited intelligent dicussion I'll need to look elsewhere. Where did huskerarmy go....he can be rude but at least there's intelligence and thoughtfulness behind HIS comments. Unlike some of you who only want to pick a fight. Tsk tsk

[tejasdemo]

Republicans are crooks and liars.

[clestes-2009]

Thanks to Bush and his team of neocon crazies, I would not be surprised if the rep were out of power for 16 years!

This country is tired of war, tired of being sucked dry, tired of being lied to, tired of the christian right hypocrasy, tired of domestic problems such as healthcare, education, environment issues not being dealth with because of foreign policy, tired of Bush, Cheney, Rice and all the problems they and their advisors brought on us.

I, for one, would be happy to never see another rep neocon NEAR the whitehouse EVER.

Moderate reps with good sense I don't have a problem with, but the brand of rep in the whitehouse today MAKE ME SICK. A bunch of screwups.

[taylor6465]

The Republicans putting up Guiliani is a death sentence. A pro-choice candidate can not carry the South, and will thus lose the election. The Democrats best choice is Edwards...B. Clinton, Carter, and Johnson were all Southerners and all other attempts by Democratic candidates in the last forty years have failed.

[jebby_one]

hahaaaaa haaaaa haaaaa ...

how about a poll to see how many Americans think that CBS and NYT polls are bogus ... together they are a double-bogus.

CBS and the NYT slants the news to fit their political agendas. For the honest news go to Fox.

Oh, I'm sure the neo-commies out there will say thet Fox is biased. That's because they don't think that any political opinions except their own should be aired.

[saigontiger1]

You want another choice? How about Ron Paul? When will these unbiased rags start talking about Ron Paul? Sick of a bloated, non-working, corrupt government? Tired of taxes taking 1/2 of your pay? Tired of your congresspeople passing law after law after law that threatens what is left of our freedoms?

Then please vote for Ron Paul who will clean up Washington, though people who rely on government handouts or jobs won't like him, though I do!!! Start to spread the word...
http://www.ronpaul.org/