Thompson Tied with Clinton, Trails Obama

Rasmussen Reports ^ | 3/23/07 | Rasmussen

[GeorgiaDawg32]

Fred Thompson 44% Hitlary 43%

Fred Thompson 37% Hussein Obama 49%

Poll based on 800 likely voters over March 21-22..

[The Pack Knight]

But..but....we were informed by the oracle yesterday that Fred CANNOT raise enough money, and NOBODY knows who he is.

That oracle must have been huffing the same fumes the ancient Greek ones were.

[Tax-chick]

It seems a little premature, since he's not a candidate. Sort of like "Bill and Opus '08!"

[NeoCaveman]

Redstate.com could be renamed Fredstate.com

[Politicalmom]

Rudyphiles can't take a challenge.

Moderator, please fix these keywords.

[wildbill]

Thompson/Giuliani is my dream ticket with Thompson putting Rudy in charge of Homeland Security issues.

Let's roll!

[mborman]

Gee. In all these years, nobody called me.

[mborman]

Let's roll with Thompson/Tancredo and leave the scaly Rudy at home!

(Third mate on a tramp steaming down the Hudson River!)

[Graymatter]

:)
I want to see the Fred states on the 2008 electoral map. But if he runs, the MSM will probably change the Republicans back to blue, just for spite.

[TheKidster]

"Now give me those guns, boys. They're dangerous!"

[onyx]

W O W

Wait'll he actually announces! Looking GOOD!

[My GOP]

"Give him time.. we're still 2 years out."

Actually, its only 10 months until the Iowa caucus and 10 1/2 months until Super Tuesday when the nomination will be decided.

[SuperGater]

If you remember pre-primary polls in 1999-2000 George Bush was beating Gore by 10/12+ points. Not until two months before the general did it tighten with Gore eventually winning the popular vote. While this poll certainly shows Hillary is beatable due to her unpopularity you I don't believe you can declare Rudy the most electable at this point.
We should pick a candidate that best represents our values and can explain them respectfully and articulately. We should also think ahead to what the media will be covering in the summer of 2008. Rudy has a lot of personal baggage that hasn't shown up yet in voters minds. I think the MSM is just waiting for him the win the primary before they start beating him up. That being said I do support a Fred candidacy.

[CommerceComet]

While this poll certainly shows Hillary is beatable due to her unpopularity you I don't believe you can declare Rudy the most electable at this point.

Sure you can. If the election were today, Rudy would beat Hillary or any other Democrat according all the recent polls. For the past few weeks, Rudy has consistently held a beyond-the-MOE lead over every Democrat. No other Republican can claim that.

Of course, that is no guarantee the lead will remain through the general election.

We should also think ahead to what the media will be covering in the summer of 2008. Rudy has a lot of personal baggage that hasn't shown up yet in voters minds.

The media is going to savage any Republican nominee. Even if their record is squeaky clean, the media can manufacture a controversy. I'm not sure that the "revelations" against Rudy will be as damaging as some think. A lot of voters already know and seem willing to shrug it off. Rudy is also insulated from the hypocrisy charge because he makes no claims to be a saint. In a lot of cases, the hypocrisy is more damaging than the revelation.

That being said I do support a Fred candidacy.

From what I know of Thompson, his views are very similar to mine. I'm just not as convinced as many that Thompson (or any other conservative) can win the general election in the current electoral climate. It is not 1980 or 1984. In my mind, beating Hillary or Obama trumps the other concerns in this election.

[theDentist]

Yes, true. There's always the slim chance of a floor fight during the convention (wouldn't that be interesting!).

[SuperGater]

"Sure you can. If the election were today, Rudy would beat Hillary or any other Democrat according all the recent polls. For the past few weeks, Rudy has consistently held a beyond-the-MOE lead over every Democrat. No other Republican can claim that."

But the problem with polls right now is that the election is not today. It is an 18 month process in which the only people voting in polls now are about 25% of likely voters or people who don't really pay attention. The crunch time is about 3 months before a general this is when about 40% of voters finally tune into whats going on and make their decisions. We have to look at these polls in context to their relative distance along an election time-line. Rudy would be my guy between him, McCain and Romney but we don't need to give up principles to get a Republican elected. Hiding Republican values kept a lot of normally reliable Republican voters home in 2006. As long as we have a strong messenger the party will be as well.

[CommerceComet]

Rudy would be my guy between him, McCain and Romney but we don't need to give up principles to get a Republican elected. Hiding Republican values kept a lot of normally reliable Republican voters home in 2006. As long as we have a strong messenger the party will be as well.

I would agree if the standard bearer is Thompson, not if it is Hunter, Tancedo, Paul, Brownback, or the others who shout about principles but have no prayer of winning in the general election.

[A1 Southern Man]

"Rudy is the only one in the race who can beat Hillary,"

Rudy would guarantee that who ever winds up with the Dem nod would win. Rudy would hand the south over on a silver platter. Enough of the white south would vote third party or just stay home.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

Love that song. Very catchy.

[A1 Southern Man]

Get your bumper sticker here.

http://www.meetfredthompson.info/

[Tax-chick]

Thanks! I ordered one, and I'll save my nickels to give Fred a donation when he has an official candidacy!