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Only One Presidential Contender is Viewed Favorably by Majority
January 3rd, 2008 at 01:52am Mark Noonan
And according to Rasmussen, that is John McCain:
One impact of the long run-up to Election 2008 can be seen in public perceptions of the leading Presidential candidates. After a year of campaigning with no votes actually being cast, only one candidate in either party is now viewed favorably by more than half the nation’s voters. Stunningly, especially given the status of his campaign six months ago, that candidate is John McCain…
…The Arizona Senator is now viewed favorably by 53% of all voters (a total boosted by the fact that 56% of those not affiliated with the major parties have a positive opinion of him. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of voters nationwide have an unfavorable opinion of him. Last summer, following the Senate debate on immigration, McCain’s stock had sunk so low that he was viewed favorably by fewer than half the voters in his home state. But, he has recovered in the latest Arizona polling as well as nationally.
John Edwards is viewed favorably by 49%, unfavorably by 42% and Hillary Clinton is the only other candidate with favorables about 43%. She is viewed favorably by 48% of all voters and unfavorably by 50%. Attitudes about the former First Lady are held more firmly than those for other candidates.
Barack Obama earns favorable reviews from 43%, Fred Thompson from 42%, Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani from 40%. Mitt Romney has the lowest total at 38%. Fifty-one percent (51%) have an unfavorable opinion of the former Massachusetts Governor. That unfavorable rating is matched by Obama and topped only by Giuliani at 55%.
That is interesting - but, also, it does make sense. In spite of years of pulling my hair out in frustration over this or that McCain action, I find myself warming to the man as 2008 comes in. He’s got his problems, but he’s a solid patriot who would do what he feels is best for America. Other GOPers would, too, but none of them come with the resume of John McCain…and, just perhaps, that is why he’s once again rising in the polls. Time will tell.
Entry Filed under: Campaign 2008, Democrats, Republicans
23 Comments
1. Nick B | January 3rd, 2008 at 2:02 am
My opinion of McCain has risen a lot as well during this election. Before the last couple of months, I would have though McCain would have been the last candidate I would ever support. He isn’t my favorite, but he sure beats out Huckabee and Paul in my opinion.
2. Huck Fillary | January 3rd, 2008 at 4:33 am
I agree, Nick. Huckabee’s, IMHO, lib-lite, and Ron Paul is a loon when it comes to foreign policy. He should stick to the House; there’s plenty of loons there to keep him company.
3. Jo | January 3rd, 2008 at 5:36 am
I’ll vote for him if he ends up the candidate in November, but I can’t support him before that. He’s a bit too on the left of center for me.
4. plainjane | January 3rd, 2008 at 6:47 am
Isn’t this the guy Bush Republicans in South Carolina are still waiting for an answer as to whether his Bangladeshi born daughter was his own, illegitimate black child. I also believe some good southern Baptists at Bob Jones University are still wondering if McCain supports siring children without marriage. McCain has some explaining to do before he gets my vote.
5. Christian Wright | January 3rd, 2008 at 7:04 am
McCain adopted that girl. It was Bush’s push poll insinuating she was his illegitimate child that knocked him out of contention for the Republican nomination in the South.
And what does McCain do to retaliate? Nothing. In fact, he later embraced Bush despite this treachery. How can anybody vote for a man who betrayed his own adopted daughter by embracing the man who insinuated she was an illegitimate child?
6. Kahn | January 3rd, 2008 at 7:37 am
Thanks Jane, we’ll be sure to keep YOUR opinion in mind when we vote for OUR candidate.
CW, I guess he should have made the kid wear a Burka?
Mark, Good post. I’m still undecided. But you’re right. McCain does have good points.
When you were in the Navy did you ever have to watch the “Forrest Fire” video? That’s him sitting in (then trying to get the hell out of) his cockpit when the flight deck erupts all around him.
7. neocon | January 3rd, 2008 at 8:19 am
Plain and CW,
Do us all a favor and don’t vote for McCain.
I believe McCain has gained a lot of traction recently because of how strong he is on the GWOT. With the recent assassination of Bhutto, people are again looking towards someone who takes this conflict seriously and has the experience and the chutzpah to be effective.
That would exclude every Democrat.
8. Retired Spook | January 3rd, 2008 at 8:29 am
I guess I could hold my nose and vote for McCain against any of the Dems that are likely to get the nomination. Having done that (held my nose) so many times over the last 10 presidential elections (Reagan being the only exception), it would be nice for a change to have someone I could get behind 100%.
9. Casper | January 3rd, 2008 at 8:34 am
At this point McCain will probably get my vote during the Wyoming caucus on Saturday. He has some negatives, but not near as many as some of the others.
10. John Ryan | January 3rd, 2008 at 8:46 am
Amnesty and anti-torture makes many independents support McCain !!
11. neocon | January 3rd, 2008 at 8:53 am
um John….
McCain kind of backed off of that Amnesty thing. Remember?
I live in AZ and he was nearly hung from the rafters over that one.
12. Ed | January 3rd, 2008 at 8:53 am
I like McCain on some things, but he may be too old. If elected, he may not be able to hold office eight years (as incumbents usually do).
Plus all that time as a POW must make you a little nutty. A true american hero, but a bit nutty…
13. Dennis Mitcham | January 3rd, 2008 at 9:26 am
McCAin is not presidential material as a Republican. He should just go ahead and register as a Democrat and get it over with.
14. Sunny | January 3rd, 2008 at 11:05 am
McCain - a true war hero. POW. But those in his own party doubt his mental health and state that he is not presidential material. Interesting. And just what does it take to be presidential material in your opinion Dennis? The man is well educated, very knowledgable of foreign affairs, served in the Senate for many years, honorably served his country, but he does not have what it take to serve his nation as president. Republicans truly do eat their own.
15. Magnum Serpentine | January 3rd, 2008 at 11:09 am
Rasmussen again eh???
What about the neutral polls of Gallop and Wall street Journal and others? Who do they say is leading?
“The World Wonders….” Fleet Admiral Nimitz, Pacific Theatre, 1945.
16. LaMano | January 3rd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I as long term Arizonan, McCain would be a DISASTROUS POTUS. Not only would he be 72 when taking office, 3 years older than Reagan, he is a loose canon. You never know when he is going of or in what direction.
Keating 5, Gang of 14, anti-tax cut votes, anti-Anwar drilling, McCain/Feingold, he is a disaster. He would love to limit the 1st Amendment.
The wrong man at the wrong time.
17. SteaM | January 3rd, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Here ya go, Guiliani is losing so he’s going to up the warmongering… this should make you guys salivate.
http://www.nysun.com/article/68755
18. Brian Gregory | January 3rd, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Senator McCain is not left of center. He is center-right. Moderate is a GOOD thing! We don’t need an archconservative in the White House, much as we don’t need a socialist either. No Independent or Democrat is going to vote for someone like Gov. Huckabee (that “evangelical” tag scares many people off) or Gov. Romney (untrustworthy, slimy).
Senator McCain is a good man, and he’d be good for our country.
19. SteaM | January 3rd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Brian, I agree. But McCain is too old and unhealthy. I’d like someone who is younger. Who knows what the internets are for instance. Religion shouldn’t matter unless they are radical and publicly state things that ensure their religion will be pushed onto everyone else and invade people’s rights.
20. SteaM | January 3rd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
oops…
I meant to say…
ensure their religion will [not] be pushed onto everyone
21. FmrMarine | January 3rd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
McLame is that LAME
a TRUE - RINO
Ill stay home if he gets the pubbie nod.
better yet bring back ole viagara Bob
22. Ricorun | January 3rd, 2008 at 5:58 pm
FmrMarine, you really need to brush up on your Haiku.
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