Reply #33: In 2000, Clinton's "likability" was at -55 to -60 and Bush 1 trounced him in hypothetical match ups

[AlGore-08.com]

I hate to actually bring history into a discussion of the past, but it was only Clinton's job performance rating that was above 50% in 2000. Clinton's personal likability rating was -60 nationwide in 2000, and even a little lower in swing states. This is why Rove's publicly stated strategy in 2000 was to "link Gore to Clinton". (Even in 2004, the Kerry campaign had trouble figuring out how use Bill Clinton in a way that gained more votes than it lost.)

F.Y.I. here are some actual polls from 2000...

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/08/06/cnn.time.poll/index.html

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
August 4-5
Favorable Ratings
Former President Bush 73%
Hillary Clinton 45
Bill Clinton 42

Sampling error: +/-3% pts


CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
August 4-5
Whose Opinions Do You Respect More?
Former President Bush 61%
Bill Clinton 34

Sampling error: +/-3% pts


CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
August 4-5
Who Would You Vote For?
Former President Bush 53%
Bill Clinton 42

Sampling error: +/-3% pts


http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/08/13/cnn.poll/

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
August 11-12

Does Vice President Al Gore's ties with President Bill Clinton make you feel more favorably toward Gore or less favorably toward Gore, or do they have no effect on your view of him?

More favorable 7%
Less favorable 32
No effect 60

Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
August 11-12

If the Democratic nomination for president were still being decided and if Bill Clinton could run again, would you rather see the Democrats nominate Al Gore or Bill Clinton for president?

Gore Clinton
Democrats 48% 46%
Independents 52 29
Republicans 58 12

Sampling error: +/-6% pts


http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/08/11/cnn.poll/index.html

CNN/TIME POLL
August 9-10
Is Gore too close to President Clinton?

Now 1999
Yes 49% 55%
No 45 37

Sampling error: +/-3% pts