Posted on 08/17/2005 12:08:45 PM PDT by areafiftyone
DES MOINES -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a surprising top choice for president among Iowa Republicans according to a poll to be released today -- more than two years before the state's first-in-the-nation caucuses.
Among 400 Republicans who said they are likely to attend the 2008 caucuses, Rice received the backing of 30.3 percent. U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona was second in the survey with 16 percent and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani received support from 15.3 percent. Roughly 20 percent were undecided.
Aside from the early horse race, the poll also found a majority of Republicans surveyed oppose federally funded research on embryonic stem cells.
The poll, conducted by Davenport-based political consulting firm Victory Enterprises, has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent. Voters were surveyed Aug. 8-10.
Steve Grubbs, a former Republican Party of Iowa chairman who heads Victory Enterprises, said he was surprised by Rice's strong showing in the poll.
"It's amazing for me to see someone who was relatively unknown three or four years ago topping the popularity list for Republicans," Grubbs said. "It's not your grandparents' GOP anymore."
Rice likely benefits from high name recognition, Grubbs said. The poll found that 94.5 percent of those surveyed have heard of Rice and 79 percent have a favorable opinion of her.
McCain, Giuliani and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich also scored over 90 percent in the name recognition department. But 33 percent of those surveyed had an unfavorable view of McCain, who skipped Iowa's caucuses in 2000.
"He's been a maverick in the party," Grubbs said of McCain. "It's created a lot of fans and a lot of people who aren't fans."
Gingrich received an unfavorable rating from 24 percent. Giuliani was viewed favorably by 66 percent.
Rice so far has deflected questions about her ambitions, although the Internet is jammed with "draft Rice" Web sites. The poll found that with Rice's name off the candidate list, McCain and Giuliani led the survey with 21.7 percent each.
On issues, the poll showed that 54 percent of Republicans surveyed believe it's a "bad idea" for the federal government to fund medical research using embryonic stem cells. Another 32 percent supported funding and 13 percent were undecided.
Among the other poll findings were:
-- 78 percent of Republicans surveyed said the federal government isn't doing enough to address illegal immigration.
-- 61 percent of respondents said they vote for candidates who are "pro-life" compared with 11.2 percent who vote "pro-choice" and 25 percent who said the abortion issue didn't matter much to them.
-- 58 percent said they vote for candidates who support the National Rifle Association and gun rights.
-- 41 percent said stopping terrorism should be the No. 1 priority of the president and Congress, followed by reducing the size of government at 13.5 percent and improving the moral climate of the country at 12.3 percent. Improving schools and creating jobs scored 9 percent and 5.7 percent.
Todd Dorman can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or at todd.dorman@lee.net
Ping
Condi vs. Hillary in a catfight for the pres?
I don't think Condi will do it. Don't think she wants to. But if she did I would be behind her!
This is just too rich, I love it!
"-- 78 percent of Republicans surveyed said the federal government isn't doing enough to address illegal immigration."
This is going to come back to bite us in the a**
Me too. But who for veep?
Newt was at the Iowa State Fair over the weekend. Harkin is having John Edwards as his featured guest at his steak fry in the town where he doesn't live anymore. I just got an invitation to a deal in Sept. with Brownback and someone else. The political season is opening up with over 3 years to go. Crazy.
I doubt she'd do it either, and would also be behind her if she decided to... but after ALL the Aunt Jemima, sleeping her way to the top and Bush's parrot jokes that came out of the left when she was named to State, the irony is delicious!
Guiliani! Like Cheney he's Tough on Terror!
The sad part is John McCain is the only one who opposes abortion. Of course McCain also attacks social conservatives, so what gives. Of those three, Condi gets the nod and McCain brings up the rear.
Would have to be a pro-lifer. Same for Giuliani.
Did I hear correctly that Newt and Harkin or was it Vilsack, made an appearance together??
I'd like to see a Pro-Lifer as the Presidential nominee.
I have a feeling it's going to be a Rice/Romney ticket.
Vilsack invited Newt to help show a steer in the Charity Steer Auction. The report said the steer kind of bumped into Newt and he bowed out. Which reminds me that Vilsack is campaigning hard, too. Plus his wife won a blue ribbon in some "Cooking with Velveeta" contest over the weekend. I am not kidding, either.
Rumsfeld/Rice. I would pay money to see the P/VP debates against... anyone!
What is Willtax running for??
It was the Matrix outfit that put her over the top.
I'm looking at Allen, Pawlenty, and Brownback at this point. Not a huge field of conservatives be we only need one.
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.