• Send FReep Mail to Unmarked Package to get [ON] or [OFF] the Mitt Romney Ping List •
Posted on 01/04/2008 4:48:23 PM PST by Reaganesque
Former Gov. Mitt Romney, coming off a disappointing loss in the Iowa caucuses last night, should be buoyed by the latest Suffolk University poll that shows him retaking the lead in the run-up to Tuesday’s crucial New Hampshire primary.
On the Democratic side, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton maintains her front-runner status in the Granite State, with a 12 percent lead over Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who is coming off a big win in Iowa last night, according to the latest Suffolk University/7News poll released early this morning.
The poll shows Romney gained 4 percentage points in the past two days, to reach 29 percent of the primary vote in New Hampshire, a state considered crucial to his survival in the presidential race. Sen. John McCain of Arizona lost 4 percent points and is not far behind with 25 percent. Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is a distant third with 13 percent, but he’s gaining, according to pollsters. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani trails with 9 percent.
Romney suffered a 9 percentage point loss in Iowa last night to evangelical favorite Huckabee.
“The results may tell people Romney is competitive and is for real,” said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center.
Paleologos said Romney has been tackling his weaknesses in New Hampshire and stealing votes from McCain.
“He’s essentially erased McCain’s advantage among older voters and the focus on that constituency is smart politics. Historically, older folks are the most reliable voting block they turn out,” he said.
The poll by Suffolk University and WHDH (Channel 7) shows that 12 percent of New Hampshire voters are still undecided.
The poll shows Clinton far ahead of her rivals with 37 percent of the vote in New Hampshire, although Obama gained some ground after his surprise win in the Iowa caucuses last night. The poll shows Obama with 25 percent of the vote in New Hampshire and John Edwards, who edged out Clinton to finish a close second in Iowa, follows with 15 percent.
Paleologos said Obama still has a lot of work to do in New Hampshire. He said Iowa was a clinch win for Obama, but in order to win in New Hampshire he has to bring a lot of young voters to the polls and Edwards’ support has to collapse.
The tracking poll was conducted Wednesday and yesterday.All respondents were likely voters for the New Hampshire presidential primaries on Tuesday.
BTW, does anyone want to speculate on where and when McCain will lose his temper and blow it, again? It's a matter of time. One other observation, if a string of poor primary/caucus showings is bad for former front runner Rudy Giuliani, why wouldn't it be bad for Fred Thompson as well?
Pre-Iowa poll. Most others show McCain tied or in the lead anyway.
Bttt!
MSM has been pushing on us McCain/Rudy/Huckabee - three candidates who differ greatly regarding war in Iraq, marriage, abortion, role of religion, etc. They have, however, one thing in common - support of perks to illegal aliens and amnesty. They have no concern for the future of this country and are willing to sell it out to foreign interests. The Democrats can easily defeat any one of this trio and it would removed the issue of immigration from the campaign.
“Pre-Iowa poll.”
Yes, but I don’t think McCain came out of Iowa with any momentum, yes Romney lost momentum, but I’m since the focus was on Obama beating Hillary I don’t think Romney will lose many points in NH which tends to do its own thing regardless of Iowa.
I think Huckabee’s win will wake people up and drive them to Romney.
I certainly agree with you about McCain, and so do most Freepers. He is right down at the bottom of the list, as you can see in the latest FR vote.
I honestly think a lot of people are turning to him because they supported someone else for a while and then were disillusioned. There are serious problems with Huckabee, Romney, and Giuliani, so anyone toying with voting for one of them may have simply gone with McCain because he’s a familiar name.
Hopefully they will think twice about it. Too bad Fred isn’t really running in NH, but he made a deliberate decision not to. Frankly, that leaves it a choice among losers.
As the spotlight focuses on Huckster he will lose points, so I agree with you.
Not a single one for Huckabee.
So according to my yard sign poll, it's going to be Romney and Obama in New Hampshire.
"Lastly, we really REALLY wanted Obama to win. With Obama finishing strong and taking momentum to New Hampshire the independent vote will not cross over to John McCain."
One more advantage Mitt would seem to have.
One RINO beating another RINO. I'll vote for neither!!!
Right now, people are looking for someone to stop Huck. If Mitt wins in NH, people will be looking for someone to stop Mitt. That’s when Fred Thompson will have a chance.
...maybe. Thompson could be a sleeper, but I think it would be really shocking to see him pull into the lead. If Romney wins in NH, and maybe WY, and then MN...it could build momentum. I’m fascinated to see what happens in SC.
Or as someone on a DUmmy funnies thread said, "It aint over until Candy Crowley sings...."
Sounds a lot like Romney, although I guess only Rudy share’s Mitt’s passionate defense of Roe v. Wade and like Mitt, has sworn to be a passionate defender of gay rights.
Huckabee = the GOP Jimmy Carter
Mitt = the GOP John Kerry
LOL! And here I was trying to be PC!
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.
