Posted on 03/21/2008 6:33:20 AM PDT by COUNTrecount
(CNSNews.com) - The lengthy Democratic primary contest bodes well for Republican chances of holding the White House, a new poll suggests.
As Democratic Senators Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Clinton of New York slug it out for the nomination, many of their supporters -- at least in Pennsylvania, site of the next major primary -- aren't committed to the party's ticket in November, according to a Franklin & Marshall College Poll.
Among Obama supporters, 20 percent said they would vote for Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the Republican nominee, if Clinton beats their candidate for the nomination. Among Clinton supporters, 19 percent said they would support McCain in November if Obama is the Democratic nominee. (See poll)
The significant number of potential defectors underscores how divisive the Democratic primary has been.
Democrats won Pennsylvania in the 2000 and 2004 presidential races, but it was a competitive state in both election cycles. McCain, meanwhile, has touted his appeal to swing voters.
"Pennsylvania is a must-win state for a Democratic presidential nominee," Nathan Gonzalez, political editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, told Cybercast News Service. "If there is a significant weakness for a Democrat in Pennsylvania, it could indicate a weakness in Ohio or other key states."
Even a few months ago, the presidential race looked like a major uphill climb for any Republican candidate. But recent polls suggest a toss-up between McCain and either Democratic candidate.
Obama and Clinton both have many negatives, which doesn't make the Pennsylvania poll too surprising, said Doris Graber, a political science professor at the University of Illinois.
"Obama is very liberal, more liberal than we've seen on the campaign trail. Also, there is still racism out there," Graber told Cybercast News Service . "Hillary, we've known all along, has strong supporters. But there are also a lot of people who would never vote for her. There is some antipathy from the Clinton years. Some wouldn't vote for her because she's a woman."
Graber believes it is "almost a certainty" that the Obama-Clinton battle will be decided at the Democratic National Convention, which could drive a wedge through the party.
"Democratic voters could be persuaded not to vote for a candidate with vulnerabilities," she continued. "A vote for McCain wouldn't be that difficult. He does appeal to the middle."
However, Gonzales cautioned not to read too much into a single poll, or discount the desire of Democratic voters to move beyond the George W. Bush years, of which McCain has become the heir.
"This is a very personal and competitive Democratic primary," he said. "Clinton and Obama supporters have trouble seeing themselves with the other now. A healing period will have to happen."
Sends a tingling up my leg.
The chickens will be roosting in Denver in August.
BS and BS. Dem voters will vote for Hillary except a few who will stay home. The MSM will get rid of that famous "middle" appeal by painting McC as a right wing freak.
The longer the spotlight is off McCain the better it is for him. The two minute sound bites of him in Iraq, England and where ever ‘looking presidential’ are good. Let the focus be on the dems and their infighting.
Operation Chaos is a resounding success.
“Popcorn! Get your popcorn he-ah!” :)
“”Obama is very liberal, more liberal than we’ve seen on the campaign trail. Also, there is still racism out there,” Graber told Cybercast News Service . “Hillary, we’ve known all along, has strong supporters. But there are also a lot of people who would never vote for her. There is some antipathy from the Clinton years. Some wouldn’t vote for her because she’s a woman.”
She forgot to mention how many dems won’t vote for McCain because he is a white male.
Love watchin Dims eat their own. LOL Yes folks, the Democrat Party is the party of INCLUSION! Uh.. wait anyone else see the obvious lie in that? Yea.....
ROTFLMAO
Believe it when you see it. If Hilary gets that nomination, she will engineer some horrific racial smear to re-motivate blacks against McCain.
Hillary will not go away quietly and I expect will pull out all the stops on the Clinton sleaze machine to get the nomination. I’m stocking up on popcorn...that Democratic convention should be fun to watch. Kind of like that Road Warrior movie..two go in one comes out.
And this should tell you something about McCain. He’s not someone we want for our president.
The number of dems perfectly willing to vote for McCain really highlights his liberal leanings.
He beats either Obama or Hillary.
Enough said.
Looks like Obama will win in a landslide.
This is a very personal and competitive Democratic primary,” he said. “Clinton and Obama supporters have trouble seeing themselves with the other now. A healing period will have to happen.”
Oh sure!...They will all come together and shake hands with razor blades in their palms.
The longer the whack left socialists fight, the better I like it!
It will be hard for the MSM to change a public perception of McCain because it’s already firmly entrenched in the public’s mind, thanks to their past propaganda in support of him. For once, they may be foiled by their own clever biased reporting.
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