Clinton Enjoys Big Lead in Arkansas

[William769]

New York Senator Hillary Clinton was First Lady of Arkansas before she was First Lady of the United States. That background puts her in a good position to capture the six Electoral College votes Arkansas will cast in Election 2008.

Clinton leads all Republican challengers in Arkansas by huge double digit margins. The closest GOP hopeful is Rudy Giuliani, but he trails Clinton by eighteen percentage points, 55% to 37%. Clinton leads Fred Thompson by nineteen points (55% to 36%), John McCain by 23 points (56% to 33%), and Mitt Romney by 32 points (60% to 32%).

For question wording and responses click here.

Among women voters in Arkansas, none of the Republican candidates tops 34% support and none come within 20 points of Clinton. Clinton also leads all the Republicans among male voters in her former home state, although by somewhat smaller margins.

The potential for any Democrat to win any Southern state is significant. For Clinton, it is especially so given that she is a candidate with very high negatives. Nationally, more than 40% of voters say they will definitely vote against her in 2008. Recent polling found that 51% of voters in Oregon have an unfavorable opinion of Clinton and, as a result, Republican candidates might be competitive there. That’s a Blue State that has voted for the Democrat in every Presidential Election since 1988.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/clinton_enjoys_big_lead_in_arkansas

[saracat]

1. No surprise as she was First Lady of Arkansas, home court advantage.What counts is this!

She could LOSE a blue state we have held since 1988? And 40% of voters will vote AGAINST her?



"The potential for any Democrat to win any Southern state is significant. For Clinton, it is especially so given that she is a candidate with very high negatives. Nationally, more than 40% of voters say they will definitely vote against her in 2008. Recent polling found that 51% of voters in Oregon have an unfavorable opinion of Clinton and, as a result, Republican candidates might be competitive there. That’s a Blue State that has voted for the Democrat in every Presidential Election since 1988."

[William769]

2. Why don't you look at the other Home States of the Other candidates.

And see where Hillary stacks up against them, and then get back to me.

[saracat]

3. The others weren't married to popular Governors/Prez, nor were they First Lady's of their states!

Not counting Rudy. he was GOP! and First Lady of NY!

[rinsd]

5. Now that was funny.

"Not counting Rudy. he was GOP! and First Lady of NY!"

[William769]

6. Ok now comes the excuses.

[lazer47]

18. It would probably be better if you checked with some folks in Ar.

about Hillary first. A lot of people here think she is an elitist.

[William769]

22. Sorry but the polls say otherwise.

[SaveElmer]

4. Ahead in two southern states...Florida and Arkansas...

Ahead in swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio...

Oregon is not the Blue state it is being portrayed as...Kerry won with 52% and Gore nearly lost it, only winning by 7000 votes (47% - 47%)...

I do think it is interesting that in the two states where Hillary has held a position that would allow voters to get to know her the best...New York and Arkansas...she leads Republicans by a wide margin...

Seems the more people know her the better they like her...a patter that is being repeated elsewhere...and that I have no doubt will be repeated in Oregon

CBS has her negatives now down to 39% btw...a 7 point drop...a steady erosion in the caricature of her promoted by the media, right and left wings over the last 10 years...

[saracat]

7. Some of that is open to debate.I honestly hope her negatives get better if she is the nominee!

[SaveElmer]

8. What's open to debate?...nt

[saracat]

11. Almost all of it but whatever.

[SaveElmer]

12. So then your assertion that Hillary has high negatives is as well...

Right?

[saracat]

14. I said "Almost" all, but certainly that too.Everything is.But her High Negs are corroborated by all

other polls on that subject.You can't spin that fact away.She has high negs.Maybe that will change but for now that is the truth.

[SaveElmer]

15. So then you don't dispute that she has a large lead for the Dem nomination..

[saracat]

17. All the polls say she has.I don't dispute that.

[liberalnurse]

13. Save your energy for the GOP..........

Senator Clinton will be the Democratic Presidential Nominee for the 08 Election. To validate my claim, may I suggest you attend a Senator Clinton Campaign event. Sometimes, just seeing for yourself will clear the fog of doubt.

I did that myself....in May of 07. My money was for Edwards until I felt the amazing power she brings. What she has is exactly what we need to win the Presidency. No one else has this, not even Obama at this point...Yes, I have seen him as well.

It's like comparing the horses from the Kentucky Derby to the horses at the State Fair. All are fine horses but the Derby horses, they are elite.

[saracat]

16. I feel I am fighting to save my Party from defeat but that is JMHO.

And I feel the GOP want her as our candidate.I don't see cooperating.Interestingly, from my meetings with her, and hearing her speak, twice, I really felt quite the opposite.I truly did not like her and felt she was an awful strident speaker.As I researched her record, I began to like her less. I was truly disappointed as I had really expected to like her and I was excited about meeting her.I went the second time to give her another chance.She resonated the same way.ObamaI have also seen twice and will again.I do not think he is quite the orator they give him credit for but he is miles above Hillary.Edwards is inconsistent.On a good night, he can give Bill Clinton competition, on a bad night he is blah. so it goes.But Edward's sincerity shines through.Hillary does not ever appear sincere.

[liberalnurse]

19. So, even if the GOP wants her as a candidate

she is not afraid nor am I. So what!

Hillary Clinton is well prepared for this political battle. She has backed them into their hole repeatedly over the past 15 years. Now she will rhule!

[saracat]

20. 40%of the electorate say they will vote "against" her.I am afraid of that.

That is a number to worry about.

[liberalnurse]

21. I'm not worried one bit.

Empty fear rhetoric is all that "talk" amounts to being. None of our other candidates are as prepared as Hillary Clinton. She is very, very organized...

[bluestateguy]

9. That's quite a surprise to me

I always assumed that Arkansans disliked her, even as they liked her husband.

[SaveElmer]

10. There was a poll sevral months ago...

That showed her way ahead of Huckabee...who of course was Governor of Arkansas...

So this is really no surprise actually...