New L.A. Times/Bloomberg Poll posts soon

Mike Huckabee isn't simply a one-state wonder, and his growing strength has left the Republican presidential race more scrambled than ever, a new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll finds.

We won't reveal the precise numbers here; for that, you can check our website later (roughly 4 p.m. PST) and Wednesday's print edition. But the survey found that Huckabee's surge in Iowa, where in several recent polls he erased the advantage Mitt Romney long enjoyed in the state, has been paralleled by a rise across the country among GOP-leaning voters.

In the new poll, the uptick in Huckabee's standing has come largely at the expense of Rudy Giuliani, who had led by comfortable margins in previous nationwide surveys.

The volatility in the Republican contest was not found in the Democratic race.

Whereas recent polls in Iowa have shown support almost evenly splintered among Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, the Times/Bloomberg poll detected little sign of slippage in the solid nationwide lead Clinton staked out at the start of this year. By contrast, a new USA Today/Gallup Poll found erosion in her support -- her lead over Obama in that survey was 15 percentage points, down from 28 points in early November.

Although the Clinton camp should be heartened by the Times/Bloomberg results, their eyes will continue to be glued to the ebb and flow of the fight in Iowa. Traditionally, the outcome of the Democratic caucuses there have had a more significant impact on the party's nomination battle than has been the case for the Republicans.

The last Times/Bloomberg national poll was conducted in mid-October; you can peruse its figures here.

-- Don Frederick    

   

Comments

[stew]

YOU MEAN TAX HIIKE MIKE?

[Not a Republican]

When I saw Huckabee in the debates a couple months ago I wondered why he hadn't gained more traction. I definitely felt that the more people got to know who he was, the more people would gravitate to him. I am not surprised the polls are starting to blow his way. I would bet money that he will be the last one standing at the end of the GOP primary.

[Mr. Wu]

I hope that the solid republican state of Utah citizens are watching how their fellow Republicans concider Mormons a cult and have distance themselves from one of there own soley for that. Where the democrats have made a Mormon the highest ranking member of their party in the Senate without a thought.

[Stephen]

I'll admit it is refreshing to watch Huckabee iin interviews. He brings truth and class to the election process. But the REALITY is that no developed country in recent years has elected a "preacher" or former preacher as its President. This is a sure liability at a time when the U.S. and world are reeling over President Bush's religious views and unpopular policies.

Huckabee's campaign will force more honesty from the other candidates, and I think this bodes well for Obamma, who has been more up front than the other leading Democrats. Clinton, on the other hand, has been the least honest and up front. The election is forming just like a horse race, where competitors flank the leaders, only for one to emerge at the finish.

Because of Huckabee's lesser name and experience, he could later help Romney, who is more highly regarded for fiscal leadership. The Republicans will have a nastier primary, and I'd look for news of a new scandal or issue to reshape the Democratics, who are yet to really fight it out! Look for the candidate who best separates themselve from the rest of the field, as Huckabee has recently done.

[Cleaner44]

Ron Paul is the people's choice! He has been dominating in the straw polls, debate polls, fundraising, web traffic and grass roots networking for a long time now. He is clearly a "top tier" candidate. I have gathered the evidence to support this statement and created a website.

Please visit www.thecaseforronpaul.com and judge for yourself.