Public: Guiliani has best chance of defeating Clinton

Gallup News Service ^ | 11/2/07 | Joseph Carroll

[jamese777]

PRINCETON, NJ -- The vast majority of Americans say former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has an excellent or good chance both of being elected president and of defeating Hillary Clinton in the November 2008 general election if Clinton is the Democratic presidential candidate. None of the other leading Republican candidates comes close to Giuliani on either measure. Americans give Giuliani, Arizona Sen. John McCain, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney slightly better chances of “being elected president” than of “defeating Hillary Clinton.”

Giuliani also has an advantage in perceived electability over the rest of the Republican field in a series of head-to-head electability comparisons against McCain, Romney, and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson. Giuliani has at least a 40-point electability advantage in each of these comparisons.

Democrats, independents, and Republicans all rate Giuliani as the GOP’s best bet in 2008.

Electability of Republican Candidates

The Oct. 25-28, 2007, Gallup Panel survey asked Americans two questions about the chances of six Republican candidates winning the presidency in November 2008. Half of the respondents were asked about the candidates' chances "of being elected president in November 2008." The other half were asked about the candidates' chances of "defeating Hillary Clinton for president in November 2008 if she is the Democratic candidate."

Giuliani is the only candidate that a majority of Americans say has an excellent or good chance of “being elected president” in 2008. McCain (47%) and Romney (45%) fall just below the majority level on this measure. Only 31% of Americans view Thompson, who has consistently placed second in national Republican nomination preference polls, as having an excellent or good chance of being elected. The public does not give dark-horse candidates Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul good odds.

[Perdogg]

popcorn please.

[goldstategop]

Rudy will carry New York? Yeah, right.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[BGHater]

Yeah, the Fabianist win again.

[Petronski]

The media creates its own reality, hammers it into the public consciousness, then polls to say “See, you agree!”

[SilvieWaldorfMD]

Did you say “Fabio”? ;- 0

[dforest]

Okie doke, they can do it without me. I really do not believe this to be the truth.

Actually, I believe he will end up being the only one who cannot beat Hillary.

Pubbies win when they stay conservative, it is that conservatism and rock hard principle that gives the voter faith.

Th idea that seems to be tootin’ round this time is liberal female against liberal male globalist.

Best chance to win? Neither one. The people have lost the faith in their government.

[goldstategop]

Much of the polls are a reflection the public's desire to leave the Bush years behind. They want someone who is the opposite of Bush in both approach and style. Considering the Vice President isn't running, its just as well.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Thud]

This is a poll of public perception, not of voter intentions, and so merits less weight than Giuliani's partisans will make of it. I support him but am not rabid about it.

What it does say is that any kind of foreign crisis will cause voter support of Giuliani to soar.

[Egon]

Translation: if we can’t have Hillary, please nominate the man most Left on the GOP ticket. Thank you!

[goldstategop]

We've 12 months to go. A year is a long time but I suspect the presidential nomination in both parties may be wrapped up by February.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[EternalVigilance]

The media creates its own reality, hammers it into the public consciousness, then polls to say “See, you agree!”

A very pithy, and accurate, portrayal of the reality of the situation.

[Perdogg]

Eventhough I will vote for any Republican nominee against Hillary, and I urge others to do so, it is true that when a moderate/Liberal Republican goes up against a moderate/liberal democrat, the moderate/liberal democrat always wins (e.g 1948, 1976,1992, and 1996).

[goldstategop]

It does. The GOP should ignore the MSM polls. The truth is one can't outliberal a liberal. The Lefties will still vote for Hillary. The only way to bring conservatives out to vote is nominate a conservative candidate.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[savedbygrace]

The sample was 1,000 ADULTS, not likely voters, and only included 310 Republicans.

Almost totally worthless poll, IMO.

[goldstategop]

Last month the Tories in Ontario got walloped after running a Liberal Lite campaign. John Tory, the leader lost his Don Valley West riding despite buttering up to the Gay Lobby.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Howie66]

The only people that I know that “support” Rudy are those that are clueless about his stance on issues.

[Thombo2]

Where’s Tom Tancredo?Wouldn’t you know it?The one candidate i actually sent money too isn’t even in the running.Bottom line-when it comes right down to it,i’ll vote for Rudy.

[goldstategop]

The MSM must have done its hardest to poll Rockefeller Republicans. In what phone booth did they find them?

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[chae]

I totally agree. The pro-life people will stay at home. Guiliani say he’ll support constructionist judges, but I don’t know that I believe it. That’s like saying I believe in x,y, and z, but I’ll appoint someone who doesn’t and can concievably make x,y, and z illegal.
Sorry, that doesn’t pass the smell test for me. I think the best ticket for the republicans would be a Romney/Huckabee ticket or Romney/Hunter, or Huckabee/Hunter.