Interesting observations by MSNBC's Chuck Todd

[Colobo]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18824957/

The other big news from this focus group, beyond the very positive initial response for Obama and Giuliani, is the very negative reaction they had toward Clinton. If these 12 folks are truly a cross-section of the electorate, then Hillary Clinton has a LOT of work to do. Eight of the 12 said they could not support her under any circumstance and seven of the 12 said she has the "furthest to go" in winning their trust. The word "cold" was tossed around a few times by a Democrat and an independent member of the panel. In fact, when asked to give one word or phrase that comes to mind when they heard her name, the only positive adjective used was "determined." The rest of the responses were negative. By the way, Hart asked for adjectives on Bill Clinton and the responses were just as negative, with only a couple offering a positive expression.

Obama clearly was the "hot" candidate as far as this group was concerned. He was the candidate a plurality wanted to meet with personally -- more so than Giuliani or Clinton. And when asked, early on, (before information on each candidate was introduced), who they wanted as the next POTUS (President of the United States), Obama came out on top, with 5 votes, compared to 3 for Giuliani, 2 for Clinton and 1 each for McCain and Edwards. When asked what word or phrase comes to mind when Obama was mentioned by name, just one negative was used - "inexperienced." The rest of the adjectives were positive - "charismatic, smart, articulate, potential, independent and excitable" (It seemed to me the person was trying to say exciting).

[DU9598]

1. Okay

Nice of those 12 people to determine the next President. Tell them thank you.

[MH1]

4. Better 12 average people than a handful of millionaires. n/t

[illinoisprogressive]

2. I'm checking cspan's schedule. I want to watch this.

[SaveElmer]

3. So 10 out of 12 had negative views of Bill Clinton...

Yet he has a 65% favorable rating with the public...

Yeah, sounds like a real representative group there...

[snowbear]

5. Clinton is as stale as last week's meatloaf...

Save Elmer!!

I just thought I'd check and make sure you're still out there taking us "not-quite-Hillaryites" to the woodshed -->

I dunno who's up or who's down because I don't believe in polls this early out.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

6. And what do you suppose FOCUS group stands for?

Damn, this could be a separate thread, but would probably end up being deleted by the mods. :)

[Old and In the Way]

7. Gee....between politico and msnbc, I'm shocked.

I guess 15 years of anti-Clinton messages from the Republican corporate media eventually gets the desired result. Or else, this observation by Todd is completely meaningless. Hillary may not be the favorite Democrat in the primary field, but I guarantee that she will be better than any of the losers offered up in the Republican Party. If she wins the primaries and is our nominee, I think she'll be unbeatable.