Amazing the attitudes concerning polling data and Hillary Clinton

[wyldwolf]

When polls show her leading in the race for the nomination, people on DU ask "how can that be? I don't know ANYONE who likes her."

When polls show her losing the general or with the highest negatives, it suddenly becomes gospel and she should "drop out of the race."

If we are to believe the latest most recent poll numbers (ABC), Clinton's unfavorable numbers have dropped 7% from 52% to 45% and MORE people say they would DEFINITELY vote for her in the general than they would Edwards or Obama if she wins the primary.

Calling for someone to leave the race on the basis of a poll is, quite frankly, stupid considering three days later that polling date will change.

But if we are to do that, Richardson, Biden, and Kucinich should pack it up and go home - ESPECIALLY Kucinich who has gained no traction at all. Is THAT what we want?

[BeyondGeography]

1. Calling for her to leave the race is indeed absurd

The focus on her unfavorable numbers is valid; they have a lot more meaning than the horse-race figures as they can be measured against a 14-year data history that confirms her to be one of the most polarizing politicians in the country.

http://politicalarithmetik.blogspot.com/2006/08/hillarys-image-1993-2006.html

[MethuenProgressive]

2. "one of the most polarizing politicians in the country" - well, it worked for Bush.

If Sen. Clinton wins our nomination, she'll win the WhiteHouse. Sure, some Dems won't like it because she's not Left enough, almost all Republicans won't like it because she's too Librul, and many won't like it because she's a female.

Personally, I think any Democrat who wins our nomination will beat any Republicon.
No Clark? No Kerry? No Gore? Well then, I'll vote for Clinton in the primary, and vote for the nominee in November.

[BeyondGeography]

3. I think she can win, too

But then there's that little problem of being able to govern effectively in an environment with high degrees of built-in hostility, which we see every day with Bush (bad example, by the way).

[w4rma]

4. I'm writing off 2008 and working on 2012 if she wins the primary.

I almost 100% positive that she cannot win the general.

But I am in full agreement with you on her inability to govern effectively for the reasons you explained.

[wyldwolf]

5. there will be "built in hostility" toward any DEMOCRAT who occupies the White House

Let's be honest. Does anyone believe that, after 8 years of the right attacking clinton and 8 years of the left attacking bush, it will end with an Obama or Edwards presidency? NO MATTER WHO win in 2008, DC will be more poisonous than ever.

In that environment, the hostility works in Clinton's favor. She's faced it before.

[William769]

6. Thats a load of crap!

Because no matter who the Dem President is, there will be a "high degrees of built-in hostility".

[BeyondGeography]

7. Hillary, Edwards, Obama, Richardson...no difference in the eyes of the public?

Talk about a load of crap.

[William769]

8. Keep shoveling baby, keep shoveling.

:eyes:

[BeyondGeography]

10. I guess there's a point there

or, maybe not.

[Jimmy Hoops]

11. I think it's ridiculous

to say that the public would have the same level of animosity towards Obama or Edwards as they would towards Hillary. The pundits at Fox News and hardcore republicans are another story. I believe this election will have a large moderate turnout especially since most people are opposed to the war. That makes me not want someone as polarizing as Hillary running on our ticket.

[Alamom]

15. Give them time.......

The pundits at Fox News, hardcore republicans, & others will try to wreck anyone with a (D) beside their name.

[Alamom]

9. Today's (4/20/07) Political Arithmetik Report. Your link is dated 8/06

Political Arithmetik

Charles H. Franklin (pollster)
I am a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin, where I teach statistical analysis of polls, public opinion and election results.

These are current results posted by the two polling agencies this blog/pollster uses.

pollster.com
http://www.pollster.com/08presidentialprimary.php





the polling report
http://www.pollingreport.com/






Looks pretty good...thanks.





edit for clarity

[BeyondGeography]

12. Looks pretty bad, actually, if one expands one's horizons a bit

<Clinton's high unfavorable rating has been matched or exceeded only four times in 70 nationwide Gallup surveys of voting- age adults that touched on the same issue since 1993.>

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_5534004

[SaveElmer]

13. Amazing...but not surprising...

It isn't about what is good for the party, or what is accurate...it is about criticizing Hillary Clinton...plain and simple...

And whatever ammunition they can come up with, no matter how nonsensical, and no matter how hypocritical, they will do it...

The same type of tactics used by the right wing against the Clinton's. Two sides of the same coin.


Fact is, they are attacking so vociferously, and so hypocritically because they are deathly afraid we will elect yet ANOTHER successful centrist Democratic President...which will put yet another nail in the coffin of the notion that only a hard line "progressive" can move this country forward in a positive direction...

The effort to make the DLC "radioactive" is workin real well huh? Three of the top four candidates are or were DLC members!!!

[William769]

14. Bingo!

"Fact is, they are attacking so vociferously, and so hypocritically because they are deathly afraid we will elect yet ANOTHER successful centrist Democratic President...which will put yet another nail in the coffin of the notion that only a hard line "progressive" can move this country forward in a positive direction..."

[union_maid]

16. I beg to differ

I don't feel that way at all. I think that Hillary is intelligent enough to see where centrism no longer works and where it does. I think that she'd probably govern as effectively as anyone. I don't plan to write anything off. If she gets the nomination, I'll be pulling for her to overcome those negatives. She might be able to do it, too. That said, I do kind of wish she hadn't run. Those negatives aren't meaningless. It would be a lot to overcome just having been the first lady for eight years. That's a kind of weird situation right there. Compounding that is the mythology that's built up around her, with many people blaming her for things that were never her fault. It's not fair but it is what it is.

I also don't actually know many people who support her as first choice for the nomination. I do know one and he's a local political leader. The most hooked up party person I know, probably. Most of the others, who just want a Democrat to win, don't hate her at all. They just don't think she can win. That "air of inevitability" thing just antagonized a lot people as well.