CBS Poll: Giuliani, Clinton Pad Leads

McCain Support Slips; GOP Voters Increasingly Dissatisfied With Choices

(CBS)  Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has widened his lead over Arizona Sen. John McCain in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, according to the latest CBS News poll.

On the Democratic side, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has increased her lead over her nearest rival, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

In a head-to-head matchup, Giuliani's lead over McCain is now 23 points, 52 percent to 29 percent, which equals its February level. A month ago, Giuliani's advantage was down to 9 points.

With former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney added to the mix, Giuliani comes in at 47 percent, followed by McCain at 25 percent and Romney at 10 percent.

IF THESE WERE THE CANDIDATES, WHO WOULD YOU WANT AS REP NOMINEE?
(Among Republican Primary Voters)

Giuliani
47 percent
McCain
25 percent
Romney
10 percent
None
13 percent

Republican primary voters have favorable views of all three of their leading candidates. But Giuliani and McCain's unfavorable ratings among all voters have risen since last month.

While McCain's outspoken support for the surge of U.S. troops may have hurt his overall standing with the American public, it's a net positive for him among Republican primary voters. These voters strongly support the war, and six in 10 of them believe, like McCain, that the surge is working.

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CBS News polls: The 2008 Campaign and The War in Iraq

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Republican primary voters are much more likely than the nation's voters as a whole to say they care about candidates' personal lives as well as their political records. But asked about two personal issues that concern the GOP candidates — multiple marriages (Giuliani has been married three times) and age (McCain is 70) — most Republican primary voters said these issues would not affect their vote.

Regardless of whom they support, GOP primary voters are most likely to think Giuliani will be the party's eventual nominee.

Meanwhile, Democratic primary voters continue to favor Clinton and expect her to be the party's nominee.

In a three-way contest, Clinton leads Obama by 15 points and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards by 18. Last month, Clinton's lead over Obama was 8 points.

IF THESE WERE THE CANDIDATES, WHO WOULD YOU WANT AS DEM NOMINEE?
(Among Republican Primary Voters)

Clinton
39 percent
Obama
24 percent
Edwards
21 percent

However, Clinton remains a polarizing figure. She is the only one of the top three Democratic contenders who gets a negative assessment from all registered voters.

Both Obama and Edwards are more liked than disliked, although many still have no opinion about them. Edwards appears to have gained a bit in overall favorability since last month. Americans overwhelmingly said Edwards' decision to stay in the race after learning of his wife's cancer recurrence had not changed their feelings about him.

Opinions about Obama have become slightly less positive among Democratic voters in recent weeks.

Democratic voters are generally happier with the current field of candidates than Republicans — and the differences between the parties on this question are growing. Roughly six in 10 Democrats now say they're content with their choices, while six in 10 Republicans are not.

SATISFIED WITH YOUR PARTY’S PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS?

Republican Primary Voters
Satisfied
35 percent
Want more choices
61 percent

Democratic Primary Voters
Satisfied
59 percent
Want more choices
36 percent

That's a reversal from past elections, when Democrats tended to be less satisfied than Republicans with their options.

While many Republicans who plan to vote in a primary or caucus want more choices, most are unable to name a specific candidate they'd like to see run. Eleven percent of those who'd like more choices want to see former senator (and current Law & Order actor) Fred Thompson run, while 8 percent mentioned former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Thompson remains relatively unknown among Republican primary voters. Nearly eight in 10 say they're undecided or haven't heard enough about him. Twenty-one percent have a favorable view of him and none have a negative view.

Gingrich, on the other hand, is well known. Thirty-three percent of GOP voters have a favorable view of him, while 25 percent have an unfavorable view.

Among the relatively small number of Democrats who want more candidate choices, most also cannot name someone specific they'd like to get into the race. Those who were mentioned most often include former presidential candidates Al Gore and Bill Bradley, and even former President Bill Clinton, who is ineligible to run again.

A separate CBS News poll found most Americans agree with the Democrats in Congress that the U.S. should set a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq sometime next year.

At the same time, a majority believe the political stalemate between the White House and Congress over a war funding bill is having a negative impact on the morale of U.S. troops in Iraq.

Republicans remain optimistic about the president's deployment of additional troops to Iraq and about the prospects for success there. However, Americans overall continue to believe that the war is going badly, that the troop increase is not helping and that the prospects for success in Iraq are dim.

A record number cite the war as the country's most important problem.

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

This poll was conducted among a random sample of 994 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone April 9-12, 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.

[rfield9]

2008 primary season, that is. This blog interface
sucks, CBS...

[rfield9]

booyaw_77 -

Sorry to take exception, but McCain has turned
into a Bush shill, flip-flopper and total joke.
He is last in money and will be blown out in
the 2007 primary season. Don't get too attached,
this is his last term in any capacity of elected
federal office. I predict that even the dolts
in AZ will turn on him when presented with a
decent alternative for Senator.

Obama will neither accept nor be offered VP
by our next president. This is a tune up for
when he replaces Hillary as president in 2016.
Hillary will select Bill Richardson - a monster
choice and I'll let you other astute politico's
on here fill in those blanks on why that is.
Bank it - Hillary/Richardson - your 2008 winner.

R's, bite it. You let Junior march you off the
cliff in lock-step, and you know it. You can
challenge the White House again in 2024. Until
then, change stripes or take a hike. Your
corrupt and incompetent leaders have been an
abject disaster for America.

[booyaw_77]

McCain is the best republican candidate.

For the democrats its a tossup between Obama and Clinton, although they'll probably wind up being running mates.

Personally, I'll probably go on the independent ticket. I'm sick of both parties. They're all talk and impotence.

[wmb57]

My issues with the democrat party this time stem from their support of illegal immigration. If you look around you will notice that both the unions and rights groups now support illegal immigration.

The issue is, I cannot support Giuliani for the same reason.


http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/rwg/html/98a/lulac.html

LULAC was one of the groups that do not think you should have to provide proof of citizenship to vote.

Many area's do not ask for it now. Including Illinois with its Chicago vote so far out of step with the rest of the state. I think you would be amazed to find that most states do not require that you be able to prove you have the right to vote before you register to vote.

[skeezix06]

Fascinating. You made a mistake on your bar graph for satisfied with your party's presidential candidates under the republicans. Last time I loooked 61% was more than 39%.

And by the way, your talking head on UTTM made another mistake. Giuliani is not the only republican candidate who has been married more than once. Gingrich has also been married more than once and I daresay has a more notorious history about his marriages than Giuliani. But hey, whatever floats your boat...

[skeezix06]

Fascinating. You made a mistake on your bar graph for satisfied with your party's presidential candidates under the republicans. Last time I loooked 61% was more than 39%.

And by the way, your talking head on UTTM made another mistake. Giuliani is not the only republican candidate who has been married more than once. Gingrich has also been married more than once and I daresay has a more notorious history about his marriages than Giuliani. But hey, whatever floats your boat...

[bigdadpatrio]

Former Senator Fred Thompson should get the Republican nomination. If he does he defeats either Clinton or Obama, hands down. Gulianni would lose to either.

[akg96]

.... CONTIUES : As America slumbers, you & I lose, but not by a lot but just everything! All internationalists are secular self-righteous fundamentalists praising good-intention but having a hidden adgenda (sometimes from themselves). Polarizing, defragmentation, political "correctness", fear, greed, self-absorption, dogma/"principles", false patriotism, dumbing-down, glorifying/sterotyping/objectifying groups of people (like the young demographic or women), the big lie (said often enough - by say "big media"), etc. If you're not outraged, you're asleep, maybe in the land of the "sleeping giant". China awoke econonically & is now conquering the world! There goes your cheap consumer addiction! Obama/Biden '08 a well balanced ticket or with Edwards another possiblitity. More on candidates needed.

[akg96]

I'd vote for an American-wing American, one who CARES for Americans & our workers vs. someone who sends jobs our jobs overseas & lets everyone into this country illegally. Free trade is NOT fair trade. Currently the federal government looks the other way unless they want to look like they are care to do something effective & required of them. Ever call them up for them to do their job? NO response. It's a direct assault on freedom, the middle class & everyone. Control as "security" is beneath us, as it's just fear the old totalitarian way & corporatism. Our problems are getting more intense & urgent all around us at so many important concerns & overpopulation of the planet & this country just increases the need to get our act together. Not enough $$$ in America & too many taxes? Read www.taxjustice.com! Caught in a rat race? Find out about the "federal" Reserve Bank & how it is totally unconstitutional.

[nyckate]

Antillo99 - LOL - how wrong can you be?? Are you seriously considering that Rudy affected and pushed the international economic headquarters located in NYC - that the stock exchange was run by Rudy?? Are you out of your fing mind?? Sheesh - hon - your complete and utter lack of reason, knowledge and ability to process thought should disqualify you to vote!!

Youa re however good a regurgitating soundbites - which made you a good little Bushie - bet youe ven voted for George-The-Failure twice didn't you?? And Faux-it-ain't-the-news is your choice for entertainment news isn't it.

That you didn't learn a *** thing over the last 6 years is obvious - perhaps better to say you are incapable of learning anything - just have the ability to repeat useless and baseless Rush & Hanity Insanity soundbites!

[abbe7]

"Since comparing Republicans vs. Democrats is an argument which never goes anywhere,
let%u2019s instead compare" ... Republicans vs. Republicans ...

Republicans were in favour of minimal government
intervention. With this administration, we have
seen them invading private lifes of US citizens,
the Teri Schiavo story is only a small example, but typical.

[abbe7]

"Rudy Giuliani is the obvious choice for President. Rudy would solve the problem of inflation with alternative fuels. America wants cash. He can deliver an economy that pays the worker. New York City prospered under Rudy's Administration. The Electorate should choose him to replace George Bush. The Democrats only offer whining and crying about terrorism. That is not a practical solution."

Ask the 911 firefighters ...

"New York City prospered under Rudy's Administration."

That's why his approval rate was so low before 911.

"The Democrats only offer whining and crying about terrorism." Who's whining about terrorism ?
I only heard "red, red whine".

[processor2]

Since comparing Republicans vs. Democrats is an argument which never goes anywhere,
let%u2019s instead compare Democrat vs. Democrat..%u2026
let%u2019s say Clinton(s) vs. J.F. Kennedy.

The Clintons and current Democrat philosophy on governing/government is:

%u201CBig Government will provide for you%u201D, &
%u201CFrom cradle to grave, Big Government will take care of you%u201D, &
%u201CIt takes a Village%u201D (Big Government)

Whereas J.F. Kennedy said :
%u201CAsk NOT what your country can do for you, but rather what YOU can do for your country%u201D

These two philosophies (both Democrat) are completely opposite of each other.

I would much rather be a J.F. Kennedy Democrat than a Clinton Democrat.

J.F. Kennedy also instituted tax cuts on the top rates to spur a sluggish economy. (hmmmm%u2026%u2026.sounding familiar)

Sounds like the NeoCommies and MoveOn.org have hijacked a Democrat party that I once knew and respected.

But I%u2019m not a republican, so what%u2019s an average American supposed to do ??

...

[huskerarmy]

"I'm sure hill's raper buddy is glad to hear she's doing so well....Got anything else other than character assasination and name calling?"

Janem4, One can only speculate on your obvious antipathy towards rapers. Regardless, isn't guilt by association a form of character assasination? What are we now supposed to believe that Hillary is part of his posse? You righties already infer that Obama is a closet terrorist. Got anything else other than hypocrisy?

[huskerarmy]

"Ron Paul is the only rational choice for president. We The People is the real news that the global elite fear most."
Manfading, The entire GOP and half the Democratic party has sold its soul to the global elite. Ron Paul may talk a good game but, he still suits up for the party of plutocracy.

[gunownerdan]

Just like the last time, looks like our next president will be the best one big money can buy.





The sheep will follow!!!

[naber1961]

HILARY Hope to see you at the whitehouse in Jan 09!!!!

[j-whitman]

janem4 --
Seriously,, Do you actually think another republican can get elected after the last 6 years ????
LOL -- American's will remember you repulicans for decades.

[j-whitman]

janem4 --

1. Rudy has terrible judgement on dresses -- 2. Rudy recomended Bernie Kerick -- 3. Rudy says Bush is a Genius -- 4. Rudy put the Crisis Response Center in the World Trade Center

[manfading]

If Americans were exposed to the knowledge of who Ron Paul is and what he stands for there would be a solid Republican contender in this race. The simple facts are that most voters don't even know who Ron Paul is due to his undeserving treatment from the national press. What a shame our national press is more interested in swaying American political opinion than in serving true national interests. Ron Paul's record in congress is rock solid and unwavering. He is a man of men, one of only a few in congress that endorsed Ronald Regan's presidential bid. He is visionary and fully predicted where this country will be and the problems confronting us today years ago under our current leadership. He has more real conservatism in his blood than all the other candidates. He is virtually unassailable in character and a Christian who believes in upholding the constitution of America that guarantees personal freedoms for our citizens. With all that going for Dr. Paul's presidential bid it is merely an question of how long. How long will the national media ignore Ron Paul? How long before the will of the people will force the attention this man deserves? It is without a doubt as this campaign unfolds Ron Paul's message will be heard as a message that resonates strongly with the American people. Given the entire field of candidates, Ron Paul is the only rational choice for president. We The People is the real news that the global elite fear most.