And the winner between Clinton and Obama will be ...
Average voters watching the Democratic presidential race unfold and wondering how the heck it's going to end up may find solace in this: There's no consensus, either, among a who's who list of pros from both parties.
The National Journal, in its latest political insiders poll, asked 80 savvy Democrats and 84 equally shrewd Republicans to make their picks in the epic struggle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
The panel of Democrats gave a slight edge to Obama, 53% to 46% (with 1% undecided). The panel of Republicans gave the nod to Clinton by a small margin, 50% to 46% (with 4% taking a pass).
The GOP result may reflect the wariness of those who know all too well the folly of ever counting out the most tenacious husband-and-wife team in politics.
A second question put to the two groups -- concerning the media -- revealed ...
an intriguing, and hard to figure, split.
Asked to rate coverage of the 2008 campaign, 44% of the Democratic insiders said it had been better than in the past, 43% said worse, with the rest expressing no firm opinion.
The GOP crew -- despite their allegiance to a party hardly known as friendly to the press -- was much more positive about this cycle's coverage. Among those expressing an opinion, 55% said it has been better than in previous campaigns, 27% said worse.
You'll find some sample responses to both queries, as well as the lists of those who participated in the poll, here.
-- Don Frederick
Well, of course the Right prefers the Clintons--nothing motivates and unifies their base more at a time when they have little to be energized about. And if the Right views media coverage as fair, then of course it is skewed in favor of the Clintons.
Posted by: Rose | March 11, 2008 at 05:22 AM
The loser offering the winner a job, after she spent weeks accusing him of being incompetent? Hillary must really be desperate to use this cheap trick to make her voters think they would get Obama too, if only they vote for her. No way! Obama would be crazy if he let the sleazy Clintons ruin his chances to run a clean government.
PS: Has Democratic Superdelegate Eliot Spitzer endorsed his old buddy Hillary yet, or is he waiting to do it from jail?
Posted by: bodo | March 11, 2008 at 06:30 AM
The democrat nominee for president will be Obama and that's just a fact. They guy can't lose. When you run your campaign pandering to total idiots who can't think for themselves and who are caught up in a fad, you can't lose.
Barack, the magic dragon lived by the sea, and frolicked in the autum mist in a land call Honilee. . . .
If Obama weren't black, he would never, ever have gotten this far. And next time someone tells you he's going to end the war and give everyone free health care, just ask them . . . "how?"
They won't know and that's because Obama has never bothered to tell anyone.
Posted by: kat | March 11, 2008 at 07:02 AM
The GOP crew was positive about the media coverage because:
1) They figured if they responded negatively, you guys would take it personally and get your revenge in print - but if they flattered you, you might be nicer to McCain
2) they're including blog comments in the 'quality of coverage
3) they've been subconsciously affected by the hope and change mantra
As far as the GOP predicting Clinton, that's simply because within their own Republican Party, 'experience' (meaning waiting patiently for his/her 'turn') would triumph every time.
Posted by: Tom J | March 11, 2008 at 03:28 PM
There is too much animosity between Obama supporters and Hillary supporters for Democrats to win in November. I think McCain has a very good chance of becoming President.
Posted by: goldenstate | March 12, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Please can someone call on Hilary to stop this personal assasination of her fellow democrate.
l am really beginning to dislike her OR is she a republican? helping Mcain?
Posted by: Julie | March 12, 2008 at 08:53 AM