Years as first lady propelling Clinton ahead, poll shows

[rodeodance]

Source: Los Angeles Times



http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-poll24oct24,0,2039684.story?coll=la-home-center
From the Los Angeles Times

Years as first lady propelling Clinton ahead, poll shows
More voters show support for the Democratic presidential candidate, who has a lead on Obama and all four of the high-profile GOP hopefuls.

By Peter Wallsten and Janet Hook
Los Angeles Times Staff Writers

6:07 PM PDT, October 23, 2007

WASHINGTON — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has neutralized the political fallout from some of the most difficult moments of her eight years as first lady, with Democratic voters looking favorably on her failed effort to revamp healthcare and either supporting or having no opinion of her decision to remain loyal to an unfaithful husband, a new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll shows.

The positive impression of Clinton's White House years -- which is shared, though more faintly, among the broader public -- is helping propel her to a formidable lead over her rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination. Clinton leads the No. 2 contender, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, 48% to 17%.

Her support has risen 15 percentage points since the last nationwide Times/Bloomberg poll in June, while Obama's support has fallen 5 percentage points.

As a leading actor in her husband's presidency, Clinton entered the race for the White House linked tightly to his legacy of personal scandal and political polarization. But today, the Times/Bloomberg poll found, nearly two-thirds of Democrats and nearly half of all voters say Hillary Clinton's famously unsuccessful effort in the 1990s to provide health coverage for all Americans makes her better able now to deal with healthcare as president.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-poll24oct24,0,2039684.story?coll=la-home-center

[Chomskyite]

1. But it must be admitted too

. . . that Obama and Edwards have run a couple of miserable campaigns so far.

[silverojo]

6. Very valid point

Edwards with his stupid $400 haircut pretty much shot his campaign in the foot. As for Obama...it'd take a week to list all his screw-ups. Honestly, it's as if he WANTS Hillary to win. :mad:

[lvx35]

2. Not surprising, voters are scared...they know what they will get with her.

Or at least they assume they know, it will be something like the Bill Clinton presidency.

[Frances]

4. Good point

I think a lot of voters were surprised by George W Bush. They really thought he was a nice guy. (Not me!!)

I think the voters are afraid they if they elect someone they don't know they might get another surprise. They don't think that Hillary is an unknown quantity.

That said, I haven't decided who I will support. I like a long primary season because I feel it gives me a chance to get to know the candidates.

[Pastiche423]

3. That Penn guy sure is earning his keep, eh?

[aquart]

5. Oh, don't say that. Laura will run.

[Zhade]

7. Americans' ignorance of her actual stances, too.

Like suggesting she'll decide which illegal powers b*s*/cheney have assumed she'll keep - in blatant violation of the Constitution.

[heliarc]

8. Because people like monarchy now. nt