Pundits Say Clinton or Obama, But Edwards Is Best Bet to Beat GOP

[Nutmegger]

Two polls released last week say much about that exquisite mixture of issue-free fluff and mind-numbing stupidity we call the presidential primaries and, if you're into dramatic statements, about our democracy itself.

According to the New York Times/CBS News poll taken Dec. 5-9 (PDF), 63 percent of likely voters believe Hillary Clinton "has the best chance of winning in November" -- the dreaded "electability" question that haunts candidates like Dennis Kucinich. Following Clinton, 14 percent thought Barack Obama was the best equipped to take on the GOP, and just one in ten gave the nod to John Edwards. Of the rest of the field, only New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson got even a single percentage point.

Despite having the highest "unfavorable" numbers of all the top candidates in both parties, Americans think Clinton is the most electable. Go figure.

But according to the CNN poll (PDF) taken Dec. 6-9, a starkly different picture emerges when voters are asked about head-to-head match-ups in November; when the leading Dems are pitted against the top Republicans, it's John Edwards -- not Clinton and not Obama -- who simply wipes the floor with the whole GOP field. "Edwards is the only Democrat who beats all four Republicans," said Keating Holland, CNN's polling director, "and McCain is the only Republican who beats any of the three Democrats."

Full article: http://www.alternet.org/story/70781/

[silverojo]

1. That's why it's insane to support Hillary or Obama

Not only does Edwards have a better stance on most of the issues, he could also seriously kick some Republican butt in the general election.

What really blows my mind is how Hillary is losing to McCain. Any candidate who's less popular than McCain among the general public is NOT someone we need representing our party in the GE.

[ingac70]

10. I agree on the Hillary vs. McCain thing....

Righties hate his guts, but would make damn sure to vote him in over Hillary.

This election I want a humiliating blowout against the Republicans, and Hillary and Obama wouldn't bring it. We'll most likely end up with the Repub if either of them are at the top of the ticket.

[lvx35]

2. "electability" is such a pile of crap.

All you have to do is convince somebody that they are smarter than the rest, and though THEY might not like candidate X, candidate X is the most "electable" to all the simpletons so they should also support candidate X. That's all it takes to make an arrogant fool vote against their own interests. At minimum, people should look at polls like those you refer to...But ideally people should back who they most like and let democracy do its job. Don't let republican preferences pick your candidate.

[maximusveritas]

3. That's just 1 poll. You've got to look at all the polls

And when you do that, Edwards just marginally outperforms the other candidates.
And when you take into account that he hasn't been tested in this campaign like the others, it's clear why that's the case.
He's not any more electable than they are.

[K Gardner]

6. We need to get Hillary to "vett" Edwards too, then !

[ClarkUSA]

4. 12/15 Zogby poll analysis for those who think it's "insane" to support Obama

Obama "has the strongest appeal among moderates and Independents in both the primaries and the general election... Right now
he's the odds-on favorite in Iowa and several early states that follow and his numbers seem to improve every day. Also, he does better
against any of the leading Republicans than any other Democrat."

http://www.thecherrycreeknews.com/content/view/2152/2

[dugggy]

5. Edwards the white southerner Vs. Obama/Hillary

even a novice can see Edwards is the best choice over a woman with
very high negatives or a half muslim parentage African-American.

[ClarkUSA]

7. No, only ignorant racists would see that.

:eyes:

[ingac70]

11. Sad, but it is reality. n/t.

[kurth]

8. Sounds shallow but true

That's how the brain of the average Joe Blow operates.

[cali]

14. racism and sexism in one sentence

alas, not atypical here at DU. :puke:

[dugggy]

19. Not my personal opinion..just how Joe6Pack thinks in America

n/t

[greyghost]

17. Thankyou for keeping it real. eom

[FlyingSquirrel]

9. When are the "pundits" ever right about anything they could get wrong?

This poll is accurate. Edwards has what it takes, which is why the Republicans have attacked him even though he's currently in 3rd place, and why they sneakily try to push Clinton or Obama forward.

[cali]

12. Edwards supporters seem to want it both ways. They want to totally

dismiss national polls showing him in a distant third, yet embrace national polls that show him winning over the repuke candidates by the largest margin. Both are merely snapshots.

[weeve]

13. Democrats ...

... who are truly concerned that it's imperative that a DEM must win the White House in '08, must stop living in this wish-fulfillment fantasy land and get behind Edwards, and get behind him before it's TOO LATE. (Mere weeks.)

I want a female President. I want a black President. But in 2008, I NEED a Democrat President. This is no time for "FIRSTS", I hate to say. Not with a potential 8-1 conservative Supreme Court (for decades) in the making should a Republican win. The rightwing media is just chomping at the bit to get Hillary or Obama as the nominee. John Edwards was vetted in '04, and has been even "saintlier" since. He's the Democrat to win the White House (with coattails) , and Progressive to boot. Which is EXACTLY what this country needs after 8 years of Bush/Cheney. And he'll win.

But wouldn't that be just typical of Democrats, trying to yet again make a "statement", and believing what the Corporate Media tells them ... that they'd yet again pass over an almost guaranteed WINNER, for someone with the machine/money/mojo instead .

Can we all take a step back, breathe deep, look at the big picture ... and DO THE RIGHT THING ?

We may not get another chance anytime soon. ( 30 years of Conservative Supreme Court decisions ? Thank you NO ... I'll raise my children elsewhere. ) The time is NOW to get behind JOHN EDWARDS in a big way .

[greyghost]

16. AMEN...

Clinton or Obama are the only chances the Freepers have of winning.

[greyghost]

15. And that my friend gives Edwards....

the nomination.

Make no mistake, Edwards will win Iowa and will march on and win the nomination.

Simply because he's the best chance we have and TPTB in the party know it.

[tinrobot]

18. Edwards is the man

Hillary has all these negatives plus she's got Bill running around shooting off his mouth about bringing Bush's Dad into the administration. WTF?

Obama is a good guy, but he's a gamble. Very little national experience, and we have absolutely no idea how he'll hold up to the right wing smear machine in the general election.

Edwards has great positions on almost all the issues that the middle class care about. He speaks truth to power. He's actually apologized for his war vote. He's been through a presidential election and witnessed firsthand the right smear machine, so he knows what to expect before it happens. He's by far the strongest candidate. Those polls just confirm it..