Interesting polling numbers out today. Nix reported on the surge by non-candidate Fred Thompson who gained 5 percent in a week while John McCain fell back to fourth behind Mitt Romney. That is what you would call amnesty-bill-blow-back.
In the latest USA TODAY/Gallup poll, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are essentially tied:
The Illinois senator bests Clinton by a single percentage point, 30%-29%, if the contest includes former vice president Al Gore.
Clinton bests Obama by a single point, 37%-36%, if it doesn't include Gore.
Those are very interesting numbers. Note that it was not a large sampling and was was taken before the debate on Sunday night. The results are significant anyway.
Hillary Clinton has been running the race as if she's trying not to lose. Any coach would tell you that you play to win. To use a football analogy, Hillary is in a prevent defense, allowing the short plays up the middle. The problem is, the prevent is good at the end of the game with a lead, she's playing a prevent in the middle of the second quarter and Obama is eating up the field in five yard increments.
OK, enough of the gridiron analogies. What these polls are telling us is that the American people want change. They are sick of the Bushes and the Clintons and want some new blood in power. Barack Obama is clear and concise with his message and doesn't have the baggage of having voted for the Iraq war that Clinton and John Edwards do. He used that to precision by slamming Edwards with it the other night. He is looking like a formidable candidate as of now.
On the other side, Fred Thompson is running the perfect non-campaign. He has the field looking over their shoulders and, until recently, was quietly sneaking up on them. Rudy Giuliani must be getting nervous as Thompson has the conservative credentials he lacks and the cult of personality that would be his if Thompson wasn't around. A Thompson-Giuliani ticket would be unstoppable in my opinion.
Probably the most interesting thing in the GOP poll is the effect the immigration issue is having. John McCain and President Bush are getting hammered every day and it's showing up in the numbers. Mitt Romney hasn't come out against the bill as forcefully as Thompson and the results are clear.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 7)
1. The problem with Fred Thompson is that he isn't a real leader - he just plays one on TV. But then again, isn't that what most politicians do? Fred just has more acting experience than most. Reminds you of someone, doesn't it? We currently have a "leader" who assumes poses, postures for the world, and says one thing while meaning another, or even worse, hiding or misrepresenting the truth. No, I think the country has had enough of actors and I just hope the country has learned this lesson.
Larry Simms at 10:51AM on Jun 5th 2007
2. THESE PEOPLE VOTED TO GO LOOK FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION,UNSEAT HUSSEAN,AND COME HOME. NOW WE FIND OUT THE REAL REASON IS PERMENANT OCCUPATION WITH A 104 ACRE FORT OR BASE DISQUISED AN EMBASSEY.THIS IS HUGH.SO NO ONE VOTED FOR THIS NO ONE BUT AN AGGRESSER.YOU CAN`T SMEAR EVERYONE WITH THIS DUNG.
DANIEL ROSENBERG at 2:22PM on Jun 5th 2007
3. Fred Thompson served as the senator from Tennessee for two terms and was in the public eye quite alot.
I think that his experience as senator and as an attorney before qualifies him as much as any of the others...and being an actor can't hurt either...at least he can speak intelligently, unlike certain other presidents. What the heck! Give him a chance!
James Copeland at 6:37PM on Jun 5th 2007
4. Do not worry my friends, Hillary will prove once again triumphant. She will redirect her efforts and step up; as of now, she has not been challenged and has been smart in not taking too risky of a position. She knows not to pull a suicide move like Edwards has--he appeared desperate in debate 2 and that is going to hurt him immensely. Hillary is the best candidate out there and Democrats look back at the Clinton years fondly--in a Time poll, 2/3 of Democrats had a favorable view of the time. a It is early in the race as of yet, and you shall see how intelligent Hillary is in the days to come.
Jess at 6:06PM on Jun 5th 2007
5. Noone in power seems to be talking about giving illegals welfare and free medical when there are Americans who have worked many years and are now going broke trying to pay their medical bills. President Bush says they are crucial to our agritulal etc. They are only crucial because big business can hire them at low wages while we are paying for their benefits that the person hiring them should be paying for.
I am sick of illegals getting welfare and free medical when that money should be spent on Americans. Illegals send billions of dollars home We are not only supporting them here we are supporting Mexico. Send them home and work with Mexico to try and make their country support them. Let them demonstrate in the streets of Mexico instead of America.
You do not have to spend billions of dollars on securing the border when it has already shown to be a joke.
Stop all benefits to them and fine anyone who hires them. They will go home. They are only here for the welfare and free medical.
I am not prejudiced or cruel. But if we don't stop this there will soon be no America.
A Mexican Californis politician said they will take over America because Americans have quit having babies and they haven't. Perhaps if Americans had free medical and welfare to supplement their income they could afford to feed and clothe more childen.
This amnesty they are trying to push thru will destroy America.
Noone seems to be talking to the one of us who would rather pay a few more dollars for tomatoes and higher prices for dinner in a restaurant than spend billions supporting illegals.
It is not true they take only jobs that Americans don't want. Take hotel maids for instance. Lots of American men and women would take these jobs if they paid a living wage. But as long as they can hire illegals they won't have to pay a living wage. They are exploiting these illegals while taking our tax money to pay for the benefits they should be providing for the people they hire.
In my experience of talking to people, email etc I think that at least 90% of the American people want the illegals sent home.
Margaret Bruce at 11:38AM on Jun 5th 2007
6. whatever happened to government for the people and by the people? These politicians have no clue what the average american person interests are. They are too busy sitting in their ivory towers and using us for their own interests. They should all be hung in the public sqare as far as I am concerned. Throw them all out and get a new crew, just maybe they'll smarten up.
estelle mitchell at 11:56AM on Jun 5th 2007
7. The pole that show Barack [Hussen] Obama even with Clinton where did you get it from ,it seems everywhere I read that he is at best 12 to 14 percentage points behind Clinton except your Pole. Tom Cannon
Tommie Cannon at 4:13PM on Jun 5th 2007
8. Borack Hussean Obama Do you see that name as our next President?
tom cannon at 12:17PM on Jun 5th 2007
9. Tommy,
Click the link that says "essentially tied" and you'll se it's a USA Today poll.
Scott at 12:23PM on Jun 5th 2007
10. The subject of Hillary and Bill Clinton's marriage and the infidelity of Bill is something that should not be associated with her candicy for president. The strength she has shown as far as a senetor should show people she can separate her personal life and political life and not let one affect the other.Hillary is a very intellegent person and a classy lady who this country should be proud to have represent it in the public arena at home and abroud.
Debra Carter at 12:52PM on Jun 5th 2007
11. Hillary is the best bet for President, She is experienced, knowledgeable,smart & shone in the N.H. Debate on Sun. night.
Terri at 1:04PM on Jun 5th 2007
12. the poles don't represent the american public because everyone I talk to say one thing but when i see these so called poles on tv they say something else and i beleive the news makes up their own pole numbers to try and make people beleive these poles so that the american person at home will agree with their poles. I think the news/media has their own agenda and are munipulating americans into things and americans are doing what the media.news are saying. America is in trouble with all the immigration problems, crime, social security, wages etc. all of these people come to america and then protest our values come on ...people come here illegally and (that is against the law) instead of giong to jail and serving time and then being sent back home we are sending what few border patrol people we have to jail and are giving these illegals a free pass with drugs, guns and all it don't matter what they do they are illegal and are getting to stay here ... it is crazy and i am for fred thompson he is the only one who is bold enough to do what is right regardless of public opinion and that is how Bush use to be..terrorism is a serious problem and how democrats deal with it is by minimizing it Hillary call them a small band of terrorist who drove those plans .. that is what she thinks of al-qaida..we are in trouble if she becomes president her lazy husband is who ignored al-qaida for 8 years and got us in this mess. yes we were all living good but if we don't get a handle on this stuff we will not be america.
NOLENE at 1:10PM on Jun 5th 2007
13. Al Gore should do what Richard Nixon did for the 1968 presidential election. Of the three current front-runners in the Democratic field, only John Edwards is electable.
Stuart at 1:24PM on Jun 5th 2007
14. WHAT? SHE HAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED ONE THING AS SENATOR OR FIRST LADY -- LYING -- CHEATING -- AND BAD ACTING ARE HER ONLY RESULTS
PAT SELL at 1:33PM on Jun 5th 2007
15. This is directed to Tom Cannon. I would like to know what Barack Obama's name has to do with him becoming president. I really hope that you are not perpetuating a negative racial stereotype or worse still associating his name with terrorists. At this point, in our history America should not be dealing with racism, elitist bigotry, or associating terrorism with anyone that has a more ethnic name. For the record, Obama is partially African and Caucasion. Would it be more acceptable if his middle name were Barack Henry Obama. Please.
brtan7 at 2:31PM on Jun 5th 2007