McCain leads at the start

THE EARLY FRONT-RUNNER. Two-and-a-half years before the 2008 first-in-the-nation Presidential primary, we have the very first poll numbers. They show 2000 GOP primary victor John McCain still the main man.

The American Research Group's numbers focus on the Republican side, showing the Arizona senator far ahead of the pack with the support of 39 percent of the likely voters in that primary.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich drew 14 percent, followed by Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with 8 percent and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist at 5 percent, with Virginia Sen. George Allen and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo each at 1 percent. According to the poll, 32 percent of likely voters are undecided.

Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel and Arkansas Gov. Mark Huckabee registered no support.

ARG polled 600 likely primary votes — 433 registered Republicans and 167 registered independents — Aug. 5-7. The poll had a margin of error of 4 percent.

Among Republicans, McCain drew 37 percent, while 26 percent were undecided, 19 percent favored Gingrich, 9 percent favored Romney, 7 percent favored Frist, and Allen and Tancredo drew 1 percent each.

Among independents, 47 percent were undecided, while McCain drew 45 percent, Romney 6 percent and Gingrich 2 percent.

Dick Bennett, ARG's president, said that in the past few weeks, "It's like someone flipped a switch. People are suddenly starting to become interested." And why not have an early benchmark?

I will concede to you on that item, certainly. I personally am on the fence relative to the issue of CFR. On one hand, it seems to me that the voters are better off not being inundated with the vitriol of which organization has the most money to spend on T.V. but rather be subject to various angles from various sides, all of whom have equal footing at election time. Of course there is the position you appear to support which is anyone and everyone should be able to spend their money as they see fit relative to campaigns and those they support---hence the First A. I, again, am on the fence with this issue. With that said though and aside from this particular issue, can you not support a McCain candidacy? Anti-tax, pro-life, pro-war, pro-business, war hero, not to mention he IS the most popular politican in America based on all polls and seeing as the Republican Party is going to be in DEEP mud come '08 if Iraq and gas prices continue the way they are (and there's no foretelling they won't), if the Republican Party wants to keep control of the WH, they'll need to send in someone ALL Americans can embrace...Who else do we have? Frist? Outside of Mercy Hospital in Nashville no one knows him...Allen? His dead dad is still more popular in Virginia than he is...Santorum? Makes Reagan look like a Commie...Condi? Country isn't ready yet. Rudy? Yesterdays news (plus, if the conservative wing of the party won't embrace McCain, they certainly won't take to Rudy---pro-choice guy)...Mitt? Carpetbagger---Utah to MA??? Jeb? Says he doesn't want it and even if he did, country wouldn't buy it this early. McCain is our party's only hope of hanging on and the conservative wing better hitch a ride on that ship or we're gonna be using the phrase "President Clinton" AGAIN!

Like you, I like to go with a winner, and at this point I agree McCain (incredibly) seems to be the man.

The problem I have with him is that the guy seems to want to stick it to the GOP (or conservatives) whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Until I can satisfactorily figure out why (some sort of brilliant strategy beyond my comprehension, perhaps?), I can't support the guy.

OTOH, if Hillary is the Dem's nominee, send me a McCain bumper sticker.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.