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Thompson Leads Giuliani While Clinton’s Lead over Obama Grows (Harris Poll)
Harris Interactive ^ | September 20, 2007

Posted on 09/20/2007 2:41:32 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

After officially declaring his candidacy, U.S. Senator Fred Thompson moves ahead of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the race for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. One-third (32%) of those who say they will vote in a Republican primary or caucus will vote for Thompson while 28 percent will vote for Giuliani. Much further back is John McCain, who continues his downward slide with 11 percent saying they would vote for the Arizona Senator, and 9 percent who say they would vote for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

On the Democratic side, Senator Hillary Clinton continues to build on her large lead. Just under half (46%) of those who would vote in a Democratic primary or caucus would vote for the former First Lady while one-quarter (25%) would vote for Illinois Senator Barack Obama. Former vice president candidate and North Carolina Senator John Edwards is further back with 14 percent saying they would vote for him. No other candidate is in double digits.

These are some of the results of a Harris Poll of 2,372 U.S. adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive® between September 6 and 14, 2007. This survey included 769 adults who expect to vote in a Democratic primary or caucus and 504 adults who expect to vote in a Republican primary or caucus. Like all polls conducted well before an election, this should not be read as a prediction. Rather, it is a snap shot of the presidential “horse race”, at an early stage in the race.

Votes by Generation

One interesting difference is the support of the different generations. On the Democratic side, Senator Obama does better than Senator Clinton among Echo Boomers (those aged 18 to 29). While 42 percent of this youngest generation will vote for him, 37 percent will vote for her. However, in the age group that is most likely to actually vote, Matures (those 61 and older), Senator Clinton leads Senator Obama by a very wide margin (56% versus 16%). In fact, one in five Matures (21%) will vote for John Edwards, so he is ahead of Senator Obama as well in this key age group.

On the Republican side a similar difference occurs. One-third (33%) of both Echo Boomers and Generation Xers (30 to 41) will vote for Rudy Giuliani while Fred Thompson garners just 8 percent and 22 percent of these generations respectively. But, again among those generations more likely to vote, Fred Thompson is ahead. It is close among Baby Boomers (those aged 42 to 60) as one-third (33%) of this generation will vote for Giuliani and 37 percent will vote for Thompson. Among Matures, the lead is greater – 44 percent will vote for Thompson and 16 percent will vote for Giuliani. Interestingly, one in five (20%) of the youngest generation, Echo Boomers, say they will vote for the oldest candidate, John McCain.

Consideration

Before being asked to pick their first choice in the primary elections, all adults surveyed were also shown a list of all the main candidates in both parties and some other well-known Republicans and Democrats, and asked which of them they would consider voting for. They could name as many people, in both parties, as they wished. On the Democratic side, three-quarters of Democrats (76%) would consider Hillary Clinton while over half (58%) would consider Barack Obama and just under half (48%) would consider Al Gore. Among Independents, it’s a tie as 35 percent would consider Hillary Clinton and 34 percent would consider Barack Obama.

On the Republican side, just over half (52%) of Republicans would consider Rudy Giuliani and just under half (46%) would consider Fred Thompson. The next two Republicans are not even candidates as 39 percent of Republicans would consider former Secretary of State Colin Powell and 34 percent would consider current Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Among Independents, 28 percent would each consider Rudy Giuliani and Colin Powell while one-quarter (23%) would consider John McCain and 20 percent Fred Thompson. Overall, more would consider a Democratic candidate over a Republican candidate but the gap has narrowed. In May, 71 percent would consider one of the Democratic candidates while 58 percent would consider one of the Republicans – a gap of 13 percent. Over the summer this has narrowed and today the gap is just six points – 66 percent would consider a Democratic leader and 60 percent would consider a Republican leader.

So What?

Now that Fred Thompson has ended his “flirtation” with the presidential race, it will be interesting to watch as he participates in debates and is actually campaigning. Does his rise to the top hold or was it pure star power? Time will tell. On the Democratic side, it appears that the race really is Hillary Clinton’s to lose at this point as her ever expanding lead is now at 21 percent. The two running in second place for each party’s nomination currently are tops with the youngest of voters. Barack Obama feels like one of them – his youth and vitality are something they can latch onto and relate to. Rudy Giuliani is one the main figures from the one major national event that has shaped their lives so far – September 11th. They feel drawn to him because of that. But, as both camps are aware, these youngest voters actually vote in the lowest of numbers. Can either campaign translate their popularity into turnout come primary or caucus day?

(See site for actual poll breakdown)


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008polls; algore; barackhusseinobama; barackobama; conservatism; conservatives; democrats; duncanhunter; election; election2008; electionpresident; elections; federalism; firstprinciples; fred; fredthompson; gop; harrispoll; hillary; hillaryclinton; johnedwards; johnmccain; mikehuckabee; mittromney; obama; pollingdata; polls; republicans; rinos; ronpaul; rudygiuliani; rudymcromney; thompson
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To: bill1952

“Island of lost dreams”

Well that is one term for it...

The Paulinati have others....


81 posted on 09/20/2007 10:02:50 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (I don't use a sarcasm tag, it kills the effect...)
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To: jmeagan
"I thought it was interesting that Ron Paul’s support was highest in the youngest age group and decreased as it went to the older age brackets. Thompson was just the opposite. A possible explanation for this is that as the groups get older, they tend to get their news from the MSM. Another explanation could be that the younger generations realize that if we continue to follow the politics of the past, they will be stuck with the bill."

Or, it could be that older and wiser Americans would like straight-talk, and common sense to win out over immaturity and inexperienced wishes.

82 posted on 09/20/2007 10:07:14 AM PDT by traditional1 ( Fred Thompson-The ONLY electable Republican Candidate)
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To: bill1952
Ever flirt with the thought of Thompson/Rudy?

Well put it this way, if Rudy winds up as the nominee for the GOP, then I'll leave the party since it will have become painfully obvious that the party has already left me. Why would I vote to get a RINO gun grabber in another eight years as the heir apparent? If Mitt, Rudy or McLame are present on the ticket as a VP, then I think I'll still sit on my hands. Better the Devil you know wants to destroy you than the one who works from within. There is no way that any VP subsequent to Cheny will be given power as he has, so with a lot of time on their hands these RINO's will be able to push an anti-freedom agenda from behind the scenes. No thanks.

83 posted on 09/20/2007 10:29:31 AM PDT by ExSoldier (Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.)
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To: bill1952
*****A possible explanation for this is that as the groups get older, they tend to get their news from the MSM

Can’t agree. I am a prime example as are every other over 40 Freeper and thats a bunch.******

Nah, it is still a generational thing. Although I have spent a huge amount of time in the cyber world over the last 15 years, I watched my first Youtube video this election. One of the more popular Ron Paul signs is “Google Ron Paul”. The younger you are, the more likely you will be to use this method to get information.

****Rather its all of the stoners and teenagers who don’t really know anything but they do know how to repeat things that are told to them, aka, drinking the kool aid.****

Just another back hand stab at Ron Paul. He has got more donations over the internet than any other candidate. 14% of the people contributing to Republican candidates have given to Ron Paul. The type of people you are talking about are not making campaign donations. The vast majority of videos showing RP supporters doesn’t support your statement either.

****However, that to the side, when RP does NOT break into double digits in October, will you then support Fred, or will you stay on the island of lost dreams? :)*****

I will stick with RP till he wins or quits.

84 posted on 09/20/2007 10:34:46 AM PDT by jmeagan (Our last chance to change the direction of the country--Ron Paul)
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To: traditional1
*****Or, it could be that older and wiser Americans would like straight-talk, and common sense to win out over immaturity and inexperienced wishes.*****

Straight talk, like this from Fred, “centralized government is not the solution to all our problems . . “ Is it the solution to “most” of our problems? I haven’t heard him say that he would actually reduce the federal government.

Can you imagine a man like Reagan taking a job as a lobbyist and selling his services to the highest bidder?

Compare that to a man like Ron Paul, who would rather do charity work than accept government medical money.

85 posted on 09/20/2007 10:52:57 AM PDT by jmeagan (Our last chance to change the direction of the country--Ron Paul)
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To: jmeagan
Yawn.

America is not looking for another Ross Perot.....

86 posted on 09/20/2007 11:10:11 AM PDT by traditional1 ( Fred Thompson-The ONLY electable Republican Candidate)
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To: traditional1

****America is not looking for another Ross Perot..****

Right, they are looking for a Constitutional conservative like Ron Paul.


87 posted on 09/20/2007 11:19:53 AM PDT by jmeagan (Our last chance to change the direction of the country--Ron Paul)
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To: bill1952

I don’t see how Hillary can win NH and I would say, off hand, that I have a little more experience in NH politics then you.


88 posted on 09/20/2007 11:19:57 AM PDT by Durus ("Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." JFK)
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To: jmeagan
Ron Paul is the equivalent of Dennis Kucinich in the Democrat race (and about the not far from the same value in national appeal, based on the poll numbers).

"Hey, Ollie, I think Ron Paul is a real good candidate and has a chance" (reaction below)


89 posted on 09/20/2007 11:33:08 AM PDT by traditional1 ( Fred Thompson-The ONLY electable Republican Candidate)
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To: TheThirdRuffian
" the more Ohio-based, the better."

How about Ken Blackwell? (That'll get the DU'ers and Daily Kussers out of the woodwork almost as much as Katherine Harris).

90 posted on 09/20/2007 11:35:47 AM PDT by traditional1 ( Fred Thompson-The ONLY electable Republican Candidate)
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To: traditional1

He is not a bad choice -— reasonably popular in OH -— although handily defeated at a mere 39% -— not sure how much of that was repercussions of his predecessor.

Certainly not a RINO.

The guy Ken beat in the primary might be an even better choice, though.


91 posted on 09/20/2007 11:45:49 AM PDT by TheThirdRuffian
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To: TheThirdRuffian
The guy Blackwell beat in the Governor primary was Jim Petro. He's got some baggage, though.

I am hoping that Blackwell runs for the Voinovich seat, but the blue-collars and entitlement-hunters have over-taken this state. Business was driven out with the loss of manufacturing, and Taft drove the rest out with taxes. Most baby-boomers from Ohio have moved South, too. We have left Moonbat-country.

Sherrod "the Socialist" Browne beat Dewine 56%-44%, and it wasn't even close as Dewine's RINO record and membership in the Gang of 14 on the Alito nomination lost all the middle-of-the-road voters.

It would be EXTREMELY difficult for the Republican candidate to carry Ohio in '08, given the current landscape, and the ACORN presence in the state.

92 posted on 09/20/2007 12:24:56 PM PDT by traditional1 ( Fred Thompson-The ONLY electable Republican Candidate)
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To: jmeagan

>will stick with RP till he wins or quits

Well then I will count on your support in a very short time, then. :)


93 posted on 09/20/2007 12:25:11 PM PDT by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")
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To: ExSoldier

If Mitt, Rudy or McLame are present on the ticket as a VP, then I think I’ll still sit on my hands. Better the Devil you know wants to destroy you than the one who works from within.

If you really mean to say that Thomspon as president is not prefereable to Hillary! and Bill! back in the WH, and having to say “President Clinton” for another 8 years, then I suppose we have no common ground at all. - Sorry.


94 posted on 09/20/2007 12:28:14 PM PDT by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")
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To: Durus
I will be very happy indeed to be proven wrong. Very happy indeed. :)

but until I see some further dynamic that indicates that NH is reversing its blue trend, well... go prove me wrong, and ping me when your electors are committed.

95 posted on 09/20/2007 12:32:10 PM PDT by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")
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To: Jim Noble

O.K. smart guy, who, in your opinion, can win and why? And will Hillary really hold all the close states that Kerry got, such as PA and WI? You like to ask that same question, but I never see your plan.


96 posted on 09/20/2007 1:03:45 PM PDT by Betty Jane
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To: traditional1
****Ron Paul is the equivalent of Dennis Kucinich in the Democrat race (and about the not far from the same value in national appeal, based on the poll numbers).****

Sure Kucinich has 40,000+ volunteers in Meetup groups (alone) working to support his campaign. Hard to tell how many people are supporting him on Youtube or facebook, etc???

Kucinich has 14% of the donors donating to Demo candidates??

Kucinich supporters really get out and support him in straw polls??

Of course we see a lot of Kucinich signs and bumper stickers???

And of course, Ron Paul has bounced off the bottom of the national polls.

97 posted on 09/20/2007 1:20:11 PM PDT by jmeagan (Our last chance to change the direction of the country--Ron Paul)
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To: jmeagan

98 posted on 09/20/2007 2:46:19 PM PDT by traditional1 ( Fred Thompson-The ONLY electable Republican Candidate)
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To: Jim Noble
Rudy would win Ohio and Pennsylvania if he were the nominee.

Thompson could also win those states also if the RATs run Hillary, although it would be a very tough battle.

99 posted on 09/20/2007 6:21:55 PM PDT by comebacknewt
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
How can Hitlery win? After all:

She proved today how much she hates the military (along with 24 other RAT Senators--all traitors).

She intends to impose national health care on everyone at a huge cost.

She has already promised to raise taxes.

She will pull our troops out of Iraq, put the balme on Bush for the genocide to follow.

She will get in bed with the Muzzies and appease the Iranian nut job.

She will back off from aid to Israel.

She's a socialist/commie who loves huge government and unlimited aid to the "poor".

She will open the borders to anyone who may vote for RATs.

She must be defeated!

100 posted on 09/20/2007 6:37:35 PM PDT by Paulus Invictus
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