Bill Clinton vs. Hillary Clinton: Who wins?

The combative Democratic presidential primary ended with Bill and Hillary Clinton essentially tied ... with each other (though perhaps with a slight edge for the ex-president).

In the new L.A. Times/Bloomberg national poll, 52% of registered voters expressed positive feelings about Bill and 49% said the same about Hillary -- a gap well within the survey's margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Negative attitudes toward the two also are about the same -- 36% gave Bill the thumbs down, while 39% said they didn't much care for Hillary.

But Bill gains an advantage when comparing the gap between their positive and negative numbers. The margin for him is plus 16 points, for her its plus 10 points.

The poll gave Barack Obama a double-digit lead in his White House matchup with John McCain, and this preference among voters is reflected, not surprisingly, in their attitudes toward the two.

In the survey, 59% said they felt positively about Obama while 27% expressed negative feelings -- a difference of plus 32 points.

For McCain, the numbers were 47% positive, 35% negative, a difference of plus 12 points.

The overarching political trends McCain is grappling with were underscored by the results for three similar questions.

Asked about the Democratic Party, 51% said they felt positively about it, 30% negatively, a margin of plus 21 points.

The numbers for the Republican Party were 29% positive, 53% negative, a margin of  minus 24 points.

But here's the major drag on all things GOP. Asked about President Bush, 24% gave him positive marks, 68% negative ones -- a difference of minus 44 points.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[viktor]

Who cares! i am so sick of these socialists i could scream.
they ahve done their damage now they should go away!
JUST GO AWAY!

[Love them in Scottsdale]

Bill Clinton was a great President of the USA, but he unfortuantely committed the worst offense ever in our Oval Office, and I will never forgive him for that. However, we need Bill Clinton back in our government, and I am hoping Barack Obama uses him appropriatley. As for Hillary, I still want her to be president and am so very saddened that she did not make it. I hope Barack utilizes her. Hillary is a champion of the poor and has done so much to help out. Everyone in America deserves the right to great medical care, and I pray daily for universal health care. Go Hillary and Bill!

[Kevo]

Bill Clinton vs. Hillary Clinton: Who wins?

If either one wins the country in general will lose

[Jon R.]

Worst offense ever in our Oval Office? That's the worst offense committed in the Oval Office that you can think of? You seriously need to bone up on your history. A blow job is among the least heinous acts committed there.

[John]

Wow! The two extremes. Either Bill was our first socialist president (viktor) or our best (scottsdale). The truth lies somewhere in between. Not socialists (can't imagine where that idea comes from) and not the worst offense ever in our oval office. I think Nixon and shrub committed acts of treason in the oval office so it's hard to understand how messing with the intern could even approach that. I say Bill was OK, certainly better than the two morons before him (one being our first serving senile president, talk about affirmative action!). Hillary might turn out to be a decent senator but she exudes a air of entitlement that turns off lots of people (39 percent according to the article above.), myself included.

[smile]

-- "Bill Clinton was a great President of the USA, but he unfortuantely committed the worst offense ever in our Oval Office, and I will never forgive him for that."

Cmmon, lady! It is the president of United States of America we are talking about here. And whatever he did as a man (human, by the way) has NOTHING to do with "offense in your Oval Office".

You watch too much crap on TV, and make too much noise about somebody's personal business. This is ridiculous how man of such power could go down that fast after a simple and, statistically, very frequent among humans sex affair..

[Dean]

"Who Cares" don't we have other more pressing issues to be concerned about?

[evan]

socialism is a good thing viktor

[Doovid Soss]

It would be interesting to get a little more granular info into the lifestyles and beliefs of the 24% of those polled who support Pres. Bush. Who are these people? Would they be rallying around the occupant of the Oval Office no matter who it is? Are they patriots, ill-informed idiots, or absolutists who believe that not matter what -- thy presidential father, who art thou in Washington deserves their allegiance?

[Elithrion]

This is quite possibly the stupidest use of statistics I've seen to date. All "gaps" were doubled since someone who's against something automatically withdraws from the "for" camp.

This was especially moronic:
"But Bill gains an advantage when comparing the gap between their positive and negative numbers. The margin for him is plus 16 points, for her its plus 10 points."
But hey, since you doubled the number for no reason, why don't you double the margin of error too? Which puts us right back where we were before we started manipulating numbers.

[A conservative Southerner]

No more Billary please. Why "they" were ever elected in the '90s, we conservatives will always wonder. I agree with the first comment...no more socialism. Just go away.

[Zack Hale]

Wasn't the worse offense ever in the White House I don't know something more in the line of abuse of political power, i.e. Nixon, Adams, Jackson, dare I say Bush, not lying about an extramarital affair? President Clinton as a politician did great things for this county socially, economically, and diplomatically. Did he fail as a husband only one woman has ever been able to make that call and she has.

[Take dem blinders off]

Bill was a fantastic president. Do you actually believe that he was the only president to get some on the side? Our economy was the best that it was in a long time. Everyone needs to get over it. Thats the only thing people have against him.

[xhrist]

"..he unfortuantely committed the worst offense ever in our Oval Office, and I will never forgive him for that. However, we need Bill Clinton back in our government"

The Logic of a Democrat will Never Cease to Amaze Me!!

[bob]

they both fail epically

[Give me a break]

Love them in Scottsdale -

How is getting a BJ the worst offense ever committed in the Oval Office? Are you high? Is that really worse than committing to an unfounded war where thousands of Americans will be sent off to die?

No wonder this country is so screwed up!

[marjorie]

I'm for Hillary and Bill all the way. I think Obama is a danger to our country and gov. I'm still holding out for Hillary to be the democratic choice for our next president. Hillary and Bill know what to do with our economy better than BO and we can once again enjoy a prosperous US. This election is all about race!!! People are voting just to have the first black president, the blacks r voting for color period and some whites too, out of consciencous, guilt or just proving they r not prejudice. I know we r not ready for BO, not today. Let him mature and or another wonderful balck person come into light. BO is not the one. Go Hillary and Bill!!! Bless you

[leroy]

viktor is under the age of 13. Read the instructions before posting.

[Todd]

Hey, if I smoke two packs a day and drink 10 beers a day, am I still entitled to great medical care? Oh, i also eat fast food every day and am 75 pounds overweight - but that's ok right? Everyone else is footing the bill - thanks!

[Larkin Mead]

When the Karl Marxist Socialists takeover this country and set the stage for the eventual demise of this nation's democratic principles and the Republic for which those principles stand, you liberals can all prepare for the marriage between Socialism and the principles of Islamic enfluence that will in time grip this country. How ironic that all the gains that women and homosexuals have made over the past 2 decades will slowly begin to erode as Islamic extremists force their will on lthe minorities and gays. Look at Western Europe if you want a good footprint of what is to come to the United States.

As for me, I am leaving the USA as quickly as possible after the socialists take control. I know that 62% of the country won't miss me and the 38% who shared my values, principles and love for this Republic may well consider joining me on departure from lthis sick and misguided country.

So, you liberals, socialists and pinkos may well soon have your "Nanny" state with universal health care, almost free college educations and a military defense that will be inferior to China. Who will pay for all these so-called freebees! You will because most hard-working, family orented Americans will be opting out from the lunacy of the left.

You want Obama? You can have him. As for me, "give me liberty or give me death!" Under Socialism, you will all be wards of the state and your pink butts will belong to the Federal Government.

[michael C]

Since the the positive and negative poll numbers are within the margin of error and therefore too close to make a conclusion, then adding them together doesn't change this. Thee 10 and 16 point differences are still within the margin of error and therefore we can't say that there is a statistical difference between them

[Dave Greenwell]

"...he unfortuantely committed the worst offense ever in our Oval Office.." Right. The man lied. About a blowjob. That's WAY worse than, oh, let's see... Lying about Iraq? Ignoring the Constitution and Geneva Conventions? "Leaking" the identity of intelligence officers as a punishment (and then lying about it)? Ignoring the plight of the Katrina victims? Need we go on? Clinton may have been getting head, but at least he didn't trash the country in the process.

[lisalisa]

what a wasted article... Bill Vs. Hillary... Oh Brother... they've so got it made in the shade... Obama wants to help Hillary with 10 Mil? ...Oh please... they dont need the f'in money. This is all such a joke of Politics...
Yes Viktor... just go away!

[Adrian]

Anyone who thinks that the Clintons are socialists are greatly mistaken. Hillary was the most moderate candidate in the running, and Bill is often seen as the 'best Republican President' that the Democrats ever had. I hope Obama picks either John Edwards or Wes Clark personally.

[Diane Laverne]

We only have a bit more than 4 mos. left to decide who will be our next President - this time more than ever I think the choice of Vice President could be a deciding factor in how folks vote. Everyone I talk to just can't decide so far. Face it, until the fight for the presidential nominations started, almost no one outside Illinois ever heard of Obama - he is still a question mark. And with McCain it's the age factor and his fiery temper. I think their picks for vice president is absolutely crucial to how most people will decide their vote come November.

[sjburnt]

I believe the public's resentment of this pair is under-represented by this poll.

I voted for Bill the second term, but mostly as 'the devil you know'. I do not care about his philandering, just the lying under oath. I just grow weary of all the self-serving tactics, the 'sniper-fire' stories, the impudence that she expects Obama to pay her debts .

I like many, many people just want them to GO AWAY!

Part of the resonance for Obama's campaign mantra of 'change' has been that it would mean the end of the Bushes' AND Clintons' time in control.

Just say "GO AWAY!"

[Robt]

Hey -
One minor detail, unless you're too ignorant to realize its impact - you need to say the poll included Barr as a possible candidate which effectively divided the conservative numbers. Typical liberal......can't stand facts so much you avoid them at all cost, including lying about them.

[kamajii]

viktor needs his meds...

[N.E. BodybutHillary]

Please Don, Please Andrew, Please LA Times Please Please Please Please end your fascination with the Clintons. If you must continue following their every move, kindly keep it to yourselves.

It is time for the Clintons to slither off to obscurity.

Really, Please!

[Travis Chapman]

What was so good about the Clinton Presidency?
(1)The first World Trade Center Bombings
(2)The bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania
(3)The bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Kenya
(4)The bombing of the U.S. Cole
(5)The Kohbar tower bombing in Saudi Arabia
(6)The genocide in Rwanda
(7)The “don’t as don’t tell” policy
(8)The major axing of the U.S. military
(9)The handcuffing of our counterintelligence agencies
(10) The selling of military secrets to the Chinese for campaign cash
(11) NAFTA
(12) The unemployment rate
(13) The collapse of the stock market
(14) The Bosnian/Kosovo war
(15) Travelgate
(16) Monica Lewinsky
(17) Paula Jones
(18) Kathleen Willey
(19) Juanita Broaddrick
(20) Jennifer Flowers
(21) Sally Perdue
(22) Elizabeth Gracen
(23) Only the second president to be impeached
(24) Allowing al Qaeda to grow without response
(25) Allowing Osama bin Laden to thumb his nose at the U.S. without retaliation
(26) Whitewater
(27) Somalia-Black Hawk Down
(28) Pardoning child rapists, murders,
(29) The Brady Bill
(30) Taking bribes from communists for political gain

Just wondering.

[juinette]

Todd,

We are footing the bill for the obese, smokers,drug addicts etc. anyway.

That is one reason our insurance costs are so high. At least if problems were treated before they became life threatening, costs could be kept at a minimal level for many common chronic illnesses thus saving every-one mega bucks and much heartache.

This seems just common sense!

[john mcromney]

I agree whole heartedly with many of the above posters thoughts, One thing that should be evident from Hillary's run for office is that the public does not think as highly of her skills as she does. Why is Obama donating money to bail her out of debt? Would that actually be legal? Sounds very questionable to me, she is the one who decided to extend her campaign beyond its practical terms, she therefore should be the one to suffer the consequences.

[Ralph]

Who really cares. Bill, comparatively speaking, was no better or worse than Nixon. His wife is no better or worse than Pelosi. They are however, rendered moot by the current contender for the "Leon Trotsky Award". Why are they even being discussed? They are yesterday's rag. We need to move on to the blueprint for the New Marxist State. All of the environmentalists can now crawl out of their camouflage and expose their true colors (pinko). All of the winos and derelict street people can line up for their new entitlements (a chicken in every pot) which will be provided by anyone (except politicians) making over $12,000 per year, social security notwithstanding. Everone will get food stamp (singular) and a box of band aids (health care) and we won't have to worry about single sex marriage because we can all go do you know what to ourselves. That having been said, I am voting for Obama because unlike Robert Dole, I don't want to say "I just can't win".
Ralph J.

[MadcapMagician]

The LA Times needs to get its head out of the clouds, we all know that in these made up polls you showed as "news" thazt you polled more liberals and demoncrats than conseravtives or republicans, or even independants.... this is a well known tactic to skew the results in the direction you want them. But that all aside does it not seem fishy that billary (and yes i left the name uncapitalized because they dont deserve respect) are now apart of obie's (obama .. forthoes who cant figure it out) team.... seems as thogh obie is just like all the other politicians.. will say and do anything it takes to get votes..

mcboob is no better ... he is a liberal in republican clothin. and the entire congress is sungly in bed with radical, extremeist environmentalists who IMO are the real threat to this nations security .. ok maybe second or third on the list, there are a few people and organizations out there that rank higher.

if the ignorant, easily led people in this nation put obie in office you get waht you deserve, the same goes for mcboob niether of the "men" are qualified to lead the nation...

this comes from an ex republican who is now an indipendant and going to write in the only man that could lead this nation they way it should be JHON WAYNE =)

[Love them in Scottsdale]

Bill Clnton was a great president and most sane people know that and admit to it. Of course, other things may have happened in the Oval Office, but most only remember that incident about President Clinton and the ensuing issues.

We all deserve universal health care. Get over it, Republicans. I am tired of paying through the nose even with hospitalization! I can't afford it any more! Give it up Republicans! No one is perfect, and Presidents in the past have all made mistakes. We are now paying for tillion dollar big one! I am tired of it and especially tired of the daily body count!

[Conner O'Collins]

For Larkin: Karl Marx socialists? Liberals, socialists and pinkos? Have we been put into a time machine and transported back to the Cold War era? Or is the poster just some quack from generation McSame? And whole business of the marriage between Socialism and the principals of Islam taking grip is just downright crack potted. Look to Western Europe if we want a preview of things to come? Do any of you people every REALLY pay attention to what's going on, or do you just spew buzz words and misinformation as a matter of course. Disgusting drivel.....

For Viktor: what about all the damage that's been done since Shrub has been in the WH? Are you kidding?

[Debbie]

"No more Billary please. Why "they" were ever elected in the '90s, we conservatives will always wonder. I agree with the first comment...no more socialism. Just go away."

Yeah, while the rest of us along with the world marvels at how and why Mr bush was elected. Twice. Second time round you KNEW how bad he was. 9-11, Katrina, useless Osama hunt (yes, he still lives) and 2 wars later with over thousands in casuality you still want to sit back and think about why Bill Clinton was elected. While you are being conservative, why don't you try to conserve humanity? And let's start with your heart. Grow one, and then we'll talk.

[linda]

Who cares? Can't we just move on???

[PacificGatePost]

Obama would be well served by his hired help if they would move him to specifics on numerous critical fronts.

Voters are looking for specifics while they battle overwhelming increases in costs on all fronts.

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/06/obamas-artistry-of-ambiguous.html

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