CBS Poll: Giuliani, Clinton Pad Leads
McCain Support Slips; GOP Voters Increasingly Dissatisfied With Choices
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2008 Republican Hopefuls
McCain and Giuliani head up the Republican pack chasing the presidency.
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Clinton, Obama and Edwards lead the chase for the Democratic nomination.
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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
McCain
Romney
None
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.
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.CBS News polls: The 2008 Campaign and The War in Iraq
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
Obama
Edwards
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
Want more choices
Democratic Primary Voters
Satisfied
Want more choices
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.
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.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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See all 124 CommentsAmerica is a FASCIST NATION ruled by The American Elite and Israel/AIPAC.
We're all SLAVES.
And this will be her downfall, fortunately for us all.
Edwards or Obama will overtake Hillary as we see more and more of them all.
I hope Giuliani continues to lead the Repub pack as he has so much dirty laundry in his suitcase that it will be a Dem slam-dunk running against Rudy.
I know this is off the subject but I had to laugh when I saw your posting name, Cornholio. Man that brings back some memories! Funny.
America is a FASCIST NATION ruled by The American Elite and Israel/AIPAC.
We're all SLAVES.
Posted by fascistusa at 06:58 PM : Apr 13, 2007
Sad but probably true.
Media for millionaires. The elections are a farce.
I'm starting my own Party :
Vote : Nappy Headed Ho 08'
I haven't chosen my candidates yet but Snoop Dogg/Al Sharpton
would be strong if I could get them. 50 Cent / Obama would be a close second, but getting Obama to switch might be hard. A third choice might be Don Imus / the Rutgers Girls Basketball Team but they might not be old enough to run and might have some explaining to do about all the tattoos. My last choice and perhaps the best ticket would be Rove / Gonzales but they are probably too busy looking for deleted eMails and ducking from the spotlight.
But anything (D) or (R) will be an improvement over the derranged lunatics in the White House at the moment.
Posted by lawandorder6 at 08:37 PM : Apr 13, 2007
You really think replacing a megalomaniac with a common thief is an improvement?
She tried to steal half the White House art and furnishings on the way out with Bill.
Both have about as much integrity and intellect.
Posted by lawandorder6 at 08:37 PM : Apr 13, 2007
Knows more what? "If she don't win" I think we're the better for it.
Both have about as much integrity and intellect.
Posted by comebackdan at 08:45 PM : Apr 13, 2007
You mean like the integrity shown by Foley, Libby, DeLay and Cunningham?
Or the intellect shown by White house staff who aren't intelligent to avoid deleting emails that the law require be preservedor a president wasting American treasure and warriors on an unwinnable war?
Is that what you mean?
Even though this is not my country, I want to see what a woman can do. We have already seen what the men can do, not too good so far.
the south never does good for america.
always war, hate, southern arrogance, phony christian creeps, crooked republican snakes, bible thumpers, flag wavers...
no, my friends, the south never does good for america.
nothing good comes out of the south.
Since comparing Republicans vs. Democrats is an argument which never goes anywhere,
let%u2019s instead compare Democrat vs. Democrat..%u2026
let%u2019s say Clinton vs. J.F. Kennedy.
The Clinton 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 ??
...
Anyways our corrupt liberal press is worried that the GOP has the winning candidates which is why they are trying to UNDERMINE Mit and Rudy.......they won't even give Mit any press.
But write this down.....the wolfpack will continue with this tactic of trying to discourage Republicans........it won't work.
"IF THESE WERE THE CANDIDATES, WHO WOULD YOU WANT AS DEM NOMINEE?
(Among Republican Primary Voters) "
AMONG REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS?
Talk about biased surveys. . . *whew*
If Republicans would choose Hillary as their opponent, Dems would be crazy to nominate her.
But, Dems would be crazy to nominate her in any case. Her positive numbers are as high as they will ever get and she has no realistic chance of winning a national election.
Hillary is as unelectable as John McCain.
I was disappointed that Hillary had not been caught in another one of her fraudulent schemes.
It appears CBS needs to hire headline writers with English as their first language. "Pad" is rarely (never) used to mean "increase" other than artifically increased, usually for criminal purposes.
Reference: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pad
I have to keep up to date in what is going on in your country. We are your neighbours and with all the enemies you have, if you get blown out of the water, so do we! :)
When was the last time any of us actually voted FOR someone instead of the lesser of two a$$holes?
Posted by didntinhale at 10:01 PM : Apr 13, 2007
I usually vote for an independent (unknown) candidate. I held my nose and voted for Kerry in 2004 as a protest vote against the entire Bush administration.
At this point, I'm truly undecided. My preferred candidate, Kinky Friedman, Jew Cowboy, author, musician, jokester and friend of Willy Nelson, lost the race for governor of Texas. (any friend of Willy's is a friend of mine)
Which was really disappointing because I had already begun my "Kinky for President, 2008" campaign preparations.
Oh, well.
In the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter who is elected to be president. But it does provide an excuse for us mere mortals to waste time and energy pretending it does.
Professional racists, race baiting hate mongers such as the "reverends" Al Sharpton & Jesse Jackson would lose their primary platform (race baiting) if the US elected a black (or half black) president.
I would vote for Obama before I would vote for most of the others on either ticket. Especially Hillary & McCain.
But, as I said, I am undecided.
I also like Ron Paul (R - Texas) and Bill Richardson (D - New Mexico).
I'll decide about three seconds before I mark the ballot (we still use paper ballots in my district).
Posted by 90210 at 10:47 PM : Apr 13, 2007
I agree with most of your comments, but, I had to correct your last comment. I am a fifth generation (at least) Texan and Bush is not a Texan of any kind, except for political purposes.
He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, grandson of a Connecticut Senator investigated for war profiteering and aiding German Nazis. He currently lives on a multi-million dollar estate routinely mischaracterized as a "ranch." Which is comparable to calling a limousine an off-road vehicle.
Bush is afraid of cows and horses. There is no livestock on his "ranch" except for Karl Rove, and he's a pig. Pigs are generally not considered "ranch animals."
Demonstrating he is not a real Texan. He is a little sissy from the East Coast. As are his supporters.
Everyone running for the position at this time is simply running for the sake of running, and in the world stage, his or her presence would seem weak and insufficient.
The time is now to have a great formidable leader with conviction, fortitude, valor, and honor -- a leader not at the behest of the world but at the behest of the United States.
We need a leader that will save the American culture and reinvigorate it and that will make America beautiful and majestic again.
I do not see an augustian among these mediocres. I only see weakness and uncertainty about where and how to lead this great nation. I am certain that our founding fathers are shaking their heads in disbelief.
Moreover, we must end the dynasties of the Bushes and the Clintons, and we must increase the salary of the US presidency to that of about $5,000,000.00/year, at least so that we can attract the brains and the driven that otherwise gravitate to the higher-paying positions in the private sector. that is, the next president must hold a physics and an economics degree, speak at least three or four languages, play the violin or the piano, and correctly pronunce the word nuclear, not nucular.
I cannot believe that a country such as ours cannot produce a truly, intelligent, articulate, and stalwart leader. That we cannot produce such an individual is quite incomprehensible to me.
Not a bad idea, do you not think?
Posted by lavampire at 01:21 AM : Apr 14, 2007
Thanks.
That's what Bush reminds me of. He's the kind of guy who starts a fight and then runs off when the fighting begins. Either that or pretends to pass out beneath a table as far from the fighting as he can get.
After which, he brags about "staying the course" and "supporting the troops" to his wimpy friends at the country club. While the guys who actually did the fighting are recovering from their wounds.
It is hard to believe that so many Americans are so gullible that they actually believe his make believe horsesh*t.
If Bush was half the man his cartoonist media advisors make him out to be, he would not be riding a bicycle around his "ranch."
He would be riding a horse, rounding up his cattle.
But, he can't even ride a bicycle without injuring himself, so it's little wonder he is terrified by a horse. Maybe I should send him a horse for his birthday.
*hehehehe...*
For the uninformed, a horse can tell when the rider is a wimpy coward and will sometimes run him into trees, into a ditch, or otherwise show him who's boss. Superman (C. Reeve) was killed by a horse he couldn't control.
Should I send Bush a gift horse????
Not a bad idea, do you not think?
Posted by lavampire at 02:27 AM : Apr 14, 2007
George Bush has conclusively demonstrated that it requires no qualifications whatsoever to be president or "commander in chief." *barf*
From my viewpoint, we should eliminate the position altogether and use "guest hosts" (as you suggest) on a volunteer, as available basis.
No reason to pay them. Those morons on "American Idol" aren't being paid. And, there are plenty of them available to be "guest president."
Keep it up tuckerndfw.
Keep it up tuckerndfw.
Posted by lavampire at 02:58 AM : Apr 14, 2007
Not to worry.
I consider George Bush to be the most incompetent and corrupt "president" in US history.
It is offensive to me that he has disgraced not only the Office of the President, he has disgraced the United States of America and the Great State of Texas.
And, as a veteran of the US Army who served during the Vietnam era while he was likewise busily engaged in partying and dodging any real danger, he is offensive as the "commander in chief."
Especially when he insults veterans who refuse to support his incompetence and corruption.
I really do find it hard to believe that there are still, according to the polls, about 90 million Americans who claim to support him.
But, so long as he is office, I will continue to point out that he is a phony, a coward, and his media image is a fictional cartoon character that bears no resemblance to the real George Bush.
BTW, I really do like your idea of using guest presidents. That's a great solution. Save us a lot of money and aggravation if we could have a "President of the Week."
And we couldn't possibly do any worse than the useless baggage we currently have in the White House.
By the way, with even more scandals lately, of Gonzales telling lies both to Congress and the American public, but Bush standing behind him, and Rove "accidentally" deleting e-mails... It amazes me how Bush and his cronies gets any support.
Posted by jimkun at 03:25 AM : Apr 14, 2007
We agree.
It appears Republicans became "power drunk" and lost any sense of honor, integrity or concern for anything other than hanging on to power at all costs.
It is quite obvious Republicans no longer represent anyone other than their "base." Most of whom appear to be religious zealots & extremists equivalent to "Muslim extremists."
The Bush administration has elevated lying to the highest level I have ever seen in American politics. The Bush administration reminds me of one of those wacko banana republic dictatorships.
Lying appears to be their only real core "value."
I can only hope, and do sincerely hope, that whoever is elected will dramatically alter the course set by the Bush administration.
Lying and initiating unnecessary wars of aggression are not symbolic of anything I support.
Posted by lavampire at 02:16 AM : Apr 14, 2007
We did produce such an individual... in 1960. But then he was fatally shot in 1963!
There will never be another John F. Kennedy, no matter how hard we look/search/hope/dream/pray.
We had a glimmer of hope with Ronald Regan, (no matter how you viewed his politics).
But now we'll have to settle for the retards, the ones we pick last to be on our 'team'.
Posted by 90210 at 10:47 PM : Apr 13, 2007
I agree with most of your comments, but, I had to correct your last comment. I am a fifth generation (at least) Texan and Bush is not a Texan of any kind, except for political purposes.
He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, grandson of a Connecticut Senator investigated for war profiteering...
***
That is why I say we have a "Connecticut Yankee in King [Georgie's] Court."
Posted by styx07 at 01:19 AM : Apr 14, 2007
God it would be nice IF you Fascist would change your line. This is EXACTLY what you said about another President from the State of New York. He went on to be elected not once but FOUR times, lead us out of a Depression and through a WORLD War. He established safeguards in our society that still remain today and with HIS economic Plan, that remained in place until "Trickle Down", we became the Greatest Economic Superpower the World has ever known. Now I'm not saying she will be another Franklin Roosevelt but she's a lot closer than anyone else outthere right now. Take your fake Family Values and put them away, I really don't think your hatred for those who do not buy into your religion is going to carry the day for you now or for a long time to come.
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