It's a tried-and-true litmus test for deciding who to vote into the Oval Office: Who would you most want to have a beer with?
Don't dismiss the importance of such a presidential qualification. Hey, it worked for President Bush over both his '00 and '04 opponents, Al Gore and John Kerry.
So, who's in the lead in the 2008 "best buddy" primary? A new Quinnipiac poll asks Americans which candidate they would most like to chat with at a Memorial Day picnic this weekend. Rudy Giuliani wins out over his Republican rivals with 37 percent of respondents choosing him. John McCain comes in second with 27 percent, followed by the not-yet-running Fred Thompson at 16 percent and Mitt Romney at 6 percent.
On the Democratic side, Barack Obama is crowned Mr. Popularity by 33 percent. Hillary Clinton polls at 24 percent, the not-yet-running Gore at 16 percent and John Edwards rounds out the field with 16 percent.
You can check out the full polling data. Here's Quinnipiac's take in their release:
"Americans want a president with whom they feel comfortable," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "At this point, they envision Mayor Giuliani and Sen. Obama as either the most interesting, most approachable or perhaps the ones about which the most people are curious - or just the best guys to hang out with."So, what do you think? Does the likability -- or more specifically, the hang-outability -- of a candidate influence your vote? As always, we want to hear from you so leave your comments below.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Yeah, it's just hilarious, we should better pick tales instead of doing this. Shame on you who did this!
canada pharmacy at 4:37PM on May 25th 2007
2. I'd probably like best the one who gets along with all the others. If you can be civil with your opponents, you'd probably be likeable enough for the general public.
Steve Bonomo at 6:03PM on May 25th 2007
3. It may seem silly but the likiability factor could make or break a presidential candidate. I would like to chat with Mr. Edwards, asking him what the possibilities of hiring me on as an Hedge Fund partner. Or donating money benefitting from off-shore tax shelters to the Center on Poverty, Work, and Opportunity. Or, what would be the likihood of writing a 'blank check' for Healthcare, Job Creation, Education, Alternative Energy Development, Medicare, etc?
08vote at 6:47PM on May 25th 2007
4. It may seem silly, but likability could make or break a presidential candidate.
08vote at 6:59PM on May 25th 2007
5. Based on media coverage and silly polls like this one, Paris Hilton would be our next Resident-in-Chief and Rosie was be our Vice Pres.
Randy at 7:52PM on May 25th 2007
6. I prefer talking to a sober presidential candidate.
Realistic at 5:54AM on May 26th 2007
7. It's not necessarily about likeability. I think Rudy is winning the Republican popularity contest because his views are shared by more Republicans. Most of my very conservative Republican friends, both male and female, agree that issues like Gay Marriage (not a problem, but no special financial benefits for either hetero or gay marriages) Social Security (privatize this immediately - we'll do better investing ourselves and we don't expect to collect any of what we've put in) Roe v. Wade (we're all pro-choice, just have different choices. But don't expect tax payers to pay for your choice, whatever it is!), Immigration (enforce the freakin' law, monitor the companies that are hiring them and punish them financially), Health Care (pick your own health plan if you want or don't be insured, pay for the services you receive. I lived in England and experienced their so-called "free health care" NOT FREE - they pay HUGE taxes for it! And then they all go out and have to buy private health care insurance besides, called BUPA, to ensure that they will actually get to see a doctor. A secretary working at my office made an appointment for an abortion and was scheduled for appointment 14 months later!! Needless to say, she ended up flying to the US for this service. Really saved some money there with the free health care, huh? Anyway, these are all common sense issues and boil down to money and what the tax payers should or should not support. That's what separates the Dems and the Reps - Dependancy vs Responsibility. Rudy seems to remember that the principals on which Conservativism was founded is LESS GOVERNMENTAL CONTROL AND INTERFERENCE. This is a capitalist society, competition makes us better, and let the chips fall where they may. There are no guarantees of happiness, just the right to pursue it.
Dorothy at 7:39AM on May 27th 2007
8. VOTE HILLARY
JAMESDUCK270 at 11:57PM on May 27th 2007
9. My Gawd,,,I am sick of hearing about Rudy Giuliani and 9/11. He beats a dead horse. He made millions talking about it. Listen he was the Mayor of New York City, He did his job. That is what he was paid to do. It's time to move on. He is not suited to run this country.
I lived in Cleveland when Kucinish was mayor. He was terrible at his job. We kicked him out of office. Ask him about the diner in 117th Street, He was a joke. A self important want to be.
As far as Clinton. Too many people die related to this crew. We already lived through one Clinton voting for another one would just more of the same.
Mike at 1:18AM on May 28th 2007
10. Yes, people want someone they would feel comfortable with and could talk to but don't feel they have to because they know where he is going to take us and how he will do it. A solid citizen, with a long steady voting record, (a John Adams type if you have read the book) will emerge when the current fireworks get cold and people really start to think.
Herman P. Miller III at 4:26AM on May 28th 2007
11. Rudy Rudy i'm glad they let him play one game poor kid work so hard!
Roger Waugh at 5:11AM on May 28th 2007
12. These people may go to picnics, but what if they are putting on a show or being hypocrites? They may change to show their real selves after the election. With Hilary, we believe we know who she is, with all the experience that she has. She is wiser because of age, her experience in the White House, etc,etc. We truly believe we know where she stands. We like Hilary the best!
Al Sanchez at 9:31AM on May 28th 2007
13. Is the popularity of the candidate the real issue here? I don't drink beer, but even if I did, that's certainly not the criteria I use to determine who deserves my vote. I'm looking for someone with the uncompromising principles and character that can't be corrupted by media pressure, opinion polls, and "yes-men" advisors. I don't want to be told want I want to hear, but what our President truly believes is the best policy and course of action, and then support it because I'm an American and he's my country's leader. If I can drink a beer with him (or her) but can't trust him to do what is right for all our people, not just for the privileged few power-brokers, then the laughs we'd have would be on me. We need to carefully choose by a man or woman's character, and by whether they have kept their word in the past. How do we know who they are except by looking at their life, not just by what they say. Have they been faithful to their family, to their voters, to their duties in their job, and have they been honest and forthright in all their financial dealings? Have they changed their story to fit the situation or have they been steadfast in their beliefs and principles, always doing what is right, even when it is unpopular. There is a right way and a wrong way to do the job of President of the United States. God is not only watching what we do as a nation, but is working behind the scenes to continue to bless us. We have compromised and strayed from the kind of nation that He called us to be, yet He is still merciful to us.
I pray that during this campaign and election, we come up higher as a people and as a nation!
BDEndearing at 11:51AM on May 28th 2007
14. Is the popularity of the candidate the real issue here? I don't drink beer, but even if I did, that's certainly not the criteria I use to determine who deserves my vote. I'm looking for someone with the uncompromising principles and character that can't be corrupted by media pressure, opinion polls, and "yes-men" advisors. I don't want to be told want I want to hear, but what our President truly believes is the best policy and course of action, and then support it because I'm an American and he's my country's leader. If I can drink a beer with him (or her) but can't trust him to do what is right for all our people, not just for the privileged few power-brokers, then the laughs we'd have would be on me. We need to carefully choose by a man or woman's character, and by whether they have kept their word in the past. How do we know who they are except by looking at their life, not just by what they say. Have they been faithful to their family, to their voters, to their duties in their job, and have they been honest and forthright in all their financial dealings? Have they changed their story to fit the situation or have they been steadfast in their beliefs and principles, always doing what is right, even when it is unpopular. There is a right way and a wrong way to do the job of President of the United States. God is not only watching what we do as a nation, but is working behind the scenes to continue to bless us. We have compromised and strayed from the kind of nation that He called us to be, yet He is still merciful to us.
I pray that during this campaign and election, we come up higher as a people and as a nation!
BDEndearing at 11:53AM on May 28th 2007
15. Truth of the matter is, as we have certainly seen with the latest Bush reign, the U.S. President can easily be seen as a figurehead, the man who most resembles what it means to be "American". Unforetunately, we are far from the days when the President was the only one making the decisions. Now it seems he is the mediator of his own cabinet, or in Bush's case, some one who listens to the ones that are actually smart. We need somebody in office that is going to help repair the reputation of our country that "W" has extremely tarnished. It seems that all the candidates have some sort of head on their shoulders, and following Bush is going to be an easy act. Personally, being from NYC, I'd love to slam one with Guliani...For those of you who thinks this is a foolish outlook, remove the stick, get a little more extraverted, maybe take a shot (or seven), and realize the sad truth that politics is all about being the most popular and likeable.
dwkarp324 at 7:18PM on May 29th 2007