Some Hill-side erosion

A new WNBC/Marist poll found significant erosion in national support for Hillary Clinton after last week's roughing up during a Democratic debate, dropping from 52% to 43%.  Most polls still show her with a lead of about 20 points, so she has some room to give, but that kind of drop has got to be on the agenda at the campaign's daily strategy sessions.

The poll apparently didn't ask questions specific to the Oct. 30 debate, so it's risky drawing direct links to her performance (partway through the Hillary-pillory fest she began to look vulnerable and seemed to lose her command of the high ground).  But the debate occurred during the time the poll was in the field, from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1.  Interviews conducted the day before and the day of the debate found 52% support for Clinton among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents.  That dropped to 43% during interviews conducted two days after the debate.

It could be some voters are just getting tired of her.  Or maybe early lukewarm support is beginning to shift as the primaries and caucuses get closer and voters pay more attention.  It could also be a statistical glitch, and single polls need to be looked at within that context.

But the daily Rasmussen poll has found some erosion, too, albeit much smaller.  And the Real Clear Politics graph tracking averages has a severe little button hook on the right end, too, though that downturn began before the debate.

So it looks like something's going on, it's just unclear what, exactly, or how much it might affect the overall landscape of the race.  But you can bet Barack Obama, John Edwards and the rest of the Democratic field will try to turn that little slide into an avalanche.

The question they face: How do you push Clinton downhill without tumbling after her?

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[vwcat]

I felt Hillary peaked about a month or two ago. I did not expect much of anything to show up but, I felt people were looking around.
I do think that if some has to do with the debate it is the aftermath of it and not the debate itself.
the sheer arrogance and silliness of the clinton campaign the past week is very much going to peel away support. The victim card and gender claim irritates women like me who feel it is a cheap charge.
But, with Hillary's surrogates this week, it is really going to hurt her. From the sexism and Anita Hill claims to Bill's ridiculous and over the top charge of swiftboating.
And I do not think they have yet learned they are shooting their own selves in the foot

[Jonathan Morales]

I do respect and like Hillary BUT that does NOT mean I am deaf to what a couple of her competitors for the nomination are saying about her, namely Edwards and Obama.

In all honesty, while Clinton is truly the candidate most likely to keep things running smoothly in DC, I doubt if that is what this country needs now, given how deeply the Bush Regime's policies have hurt the infrastructure and funtion of the nation and government respectively.

His turning the medicare system into a corporate welfare system for large medical HMOs and insurance companies can't be cured with compromise.

Fixing that needs someone with a more adventurous, creative mind the likes of Edwards and Obama. No matter what happens, I expect to see Hillary on the ticket most likely as presidential nominee or VP. (yes she'll tke it - it's still a historic first especially if combined with Obama, but Edwards/Clinton sounds great as does Clinton/Obama Clinton/Edwards Edwards/Obama Obama/Edwards)

Additionally they are saying with extreme clarity what is on the minds of so many people today, that things are broken, not just out of whack.

Fixing broken takes a lot more effort than a tweak or a nudge in terms of policies which Clinton is offering.

8yrs ago after her husband, she'd have been perfect.

8yrs hence after Commandante Bush and the Kleptocrats in charge for so long have made a mess of the place, her conventional thinking and cautious ways may simply be far too little to fix all that Bush broke.

To fix that she needs to be willing to take chances and take on her opponents as they are, many of whom are bitter enemies. Triangulation today with Republithugs will only mean compromise to such a degree that we as a nation will lose it all.

I still have faith in her that she'll start to toughen up her stands, and get in line with OBama and Edwards. If she doesn't though, and continues to talk nice to the powers that brought us this disaster I'll switch to either of those two men.

Regardless, any of them can win against any of the Republithugs up for the office, for they are more of the same, and that is the last thing this nation as a whole wants.

Luckily their party is blinded by their own righteousness and won't compromise to the degree they need to in selecting a candidate and thus will lose the 2008 election - you can count on it. ;-)