Clinton and Romney Have Highest Level of Core Opposition Among Leading Candidates

Rasmussen Reports ^ | December 22, 2007 | Scott Rasmussen

[Josh Painter]

Among the leading Presidential candidates, New York Senator Hillary Clinton and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney have the highest level of core opposition among voters. Forty-seven percent (47%) say they will vote against each of these candidates no matter who else is on the ballot.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Arizona Senator John McCain. For the second straight month, McCain finds himself with the smallest level of core opposition--just 33% say they will definitely vote against him. That figure is unchanged from a month ago, down from 39% a two months ago and a peak of 42% in June. These results are just one part of the reason that it is a good time to be John McCain.

In between, 42% will definitely vote against Giuliani, 38% against Edwards, 36% against Obama, 34% against Huckabee, 34% against Thompson.

As for core support, Clinton is also on top. Thirty percent (30%) will definitely vote for her and 29% will definitely vote for Obama. Edwards and Giuliani have core support from 23%, McCain from 22%, Thompson and Huckabee from 21%, and Romney from 19%.

On a net basis (core support minus core opposition), Obama (-7) and McCain (-11) come out on top. Giuliani (-19) and Romney (-28) have the weakest numbers on a net basis.

Results among voters not affiliated with either major party show that 48% would definitely vote against Clinton. That’s the highest level of core opposition among unaffiliated voters encountered by any of the candidates in the survey. Giuliani is close—44% of unaffiliated voters would definitely vote against him...

[Josh Painter]

Core Favorability/Opposition Among All Voters - GOP

Definitely For /Definitely Against / (Net)

1. John McCain 22% (18%) / 33% (33%) / (-11%)
2. Mike Huckabee 21% (17%) / 34% (36%) / (-13%)
2. Fred Thompson 21% (17%) / 34% (40%) / (-13%)
4. Rudy Giuliani 23% (27%) / 42% (40%) / (-19%)
5. Mitt Romney 19% (19%) / 47% (39%) / (-28%)
6. Ron Paul 10% (9%) / 48% (46%) / (-38%)

[stylin19a]

Among the leading Presidential candidates, New York Senator Hillary Clinton and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney have the highest level of core opposition among voters. Forty-seven percent (47%) say they will vote against each of these candidates no matter who else is on the ballot.

so, if it's Hillary v. Mitt , do these cancel each other out ?

[AlaskaErik]

I’m definitely against the gun grabbing Romney. Same goes for Giuliani.

[Ol' Sparky]

Romney is unelectable. He has a Mormon problem that isn’t going away and most realize he is a liar and flip-flopper.

[9YearLurker]

The Republican Party is crazy if it nominates a candidate with over 40% definitely voting against him—and yes, that would include Rudy, Mitt and Ron Paul. Of those left, it’s hard not to see Fred as the best candidate to run in the general election.

[TornadoAlley3]

[Verginius Rufus]

Someone sent me a cartoon in which a pollster asks a man, "If the election were held today, would you vote for A. Hillary Clinton..." and before she has a chance to mention any other name he replies "B."

[Parley Baer]

Still spouting the “Mormon problem”.

[Colofornian]

Still spouting the “Mormon problem”. [PB]

Still ignoring the elephant in a room that is supposed to be full of elephant symbols but no actual ones?

(BTW, is "Parley" a name derived somewhere from PPP--Parley P. Pratt?)

[The Pack Knight]

so, if it's Hillary v. Mitt , do these cancel each other out ?

I'd say "Hello 3rd party", but:

"6. Ron Paul 10% (9%) / 48% (46%) / (-38%)"

So much for the "Revolution". Maybe Bloomberg makes a showing.... I think I just dry-heaved.

[Parley Baer]

No.

[stylin19a]

I’m thinking that if it’s Hillary V. Mitt no way the 47% against on each side don’t vote.

[broncobilly]

Romney is unelectable.

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Let’s face it. They are all unelectable. The democrats are not going to vote for them. And the Republicans have been so intemperate in the inner party attacks, they are all bloodied and repulsive. Who having one’s own candidate beat up will have any enthusiasm supporting “the last man standing” at a brokered convention? When I read some of these posts, I wonder why I bother to register Republican. Can the democrats be any worse than this?

[Ol' Sparky]

Still spouting the “Mormon problem”.

It's proven problem in poll after poll. But, it is far less of a problem than the simple fact that Romney is an habitual liar.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

When I read some of these posts, I wonder why I bother to register Republican. Can the democrats be any worse than this?

Blame the RNC hacks in D.C... not the voters...

1. War

2. Border

3. Terrorism

4. 2nd Amendment

These four are inseparable issues and they are not going away.

[broncobilly]

Blame the RNC hacks in D.C... not the voters...

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No. I blame the DNC hacks on FR, who are posting attacks on Reublican candidates in order to get Republicans fighting among themselves.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

I blame the DNC hacks on FR, who are posting attacks on Reublican candidates in order to get Republicans fighting among themselves.

It all about the ISSUES. What positions on the ISSUES do the candidates take? What is their record?

I see only two candidates who will represent the ISSUES I care about. As a voter, I only want my positions on the ISSUES represented. These are the sole reason I support the Republican party.

I don't care if they have a fancy Madison Avenue designer label. Turning the general election into a second Democrat primary will not get my vote in November.