Clinton holds a strong lead over her Democratic rivals in South Carolina, a new poll indicates.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton holds a 14 point lead over her closest rival, Sen. Barack Obama, in the crucial primary state of South Carolina, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll out Friday.
The New York Democrat registers 39 percent in the latest poll out of the Palmetto State, followed by Obama, a senator from Illinois, at 25 percent. John Edwards, a former senator from neighboring North Carolina who is a native of the Palmetto State, comes in third with 15 percent. (Read full poll results [PDF])
Former Vice President Al Gore, who has repeatedly said he has no plans to run for president, draws 10 percent in the poll. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Delaware Sen. Joe Biden were the only other two candidates to register support in the poll, drawing 2 percent, and 1 percent respectively.
The poll, conducted on July 16-18, interviewed 1,052 adults in South Carolina, including 380 who say they will vote in the 2008 Democratic primary. It carries a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.
The poll also indicates race plays a large roll in how South Carolina Democrats plan to vote. Among whites, Clinton has a thin 3 point lead over Edwards, 30 percent to 27 percent, with Obama coming in third at 18 percent. Meanwhile, among blacks, Clinton holds a 16 point lead over Obama, 47 percent to 31 percent, with Edwards drawing a paltry 4 percent. This breakdown carries a margin of error of plus or minus 8 percentage points.
Why does Clinton appear to have an edge over Obama among blacks? According to CNN Polling Director Keating Holland, one reason may be the "brand loyalty" many blacks feel toward the name Clinton - most black primary voters in South Carolina say that Clinton understands their problems better than Obama does.
But another may be the “electability” factor, Holland said. Black primary voters by a wide margin think that Clinton has a better chance than Obama of beating the GOP nominee in November. If blacks want a Democrat in the White House and don't think Obama is electable, they may see Clinton as the better choice for blacks regardless of the racial background of the candidates.
All eight Democratic presidential contenders are set to square off in the CNN/You Tube Debate in Charleston South Carolina on Monday.
From CNN Politics
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GOOD THING IT'S 100% IMPOSSIBLE TO MANIPULATE POLL FIGURES.
I really wish Al Frickin Gore would quit being that annoying little puppy that keeps humping your leg for attention. If he draws votes away from O'Bama and costs us, I'm leaving the country for good. His wimpyness is what got us here in the first place..... Damn Floridians.
Either ways, Hillary can take those backwards hillbillies, Hillary, bill clinton, hillbillies. thats funny. Anyways, we all know damn well that South Carolina would cut off its own nose before electing as *GASP!* BLACK REPRESENATIVE! Nice Flag. Welcome to 2007!
"I am going to vote for someone because I liked how their husband works"...thats like saying I am going to vote for Thompson because he has a trophy wife ... Hillary will not win in South Carolina.
I'm certain the good people of South Carolina love the CNN Headline, "Clinton in charge in South Carolina".
An interesting comment made in the article – black voters tilt towards Hillary because 1) brand loyalty (Bill did so much for the African American community?) and 2) they don't think Obama is electable – WOW.
Unfortunately I believe "race" is still an issue in our country today. Not because black constituents don't think Obama is electable... but that because if a segment of white voters made that statement I sense there would be outrage against the racist bigots.
Am I wrong?
This is total and 100 % BS. I'm sorry but this poll does not reflect the majority of polls on RCP. I can't wait till election day when all these "pollsters" who continue to define what's in the mind of Black Americans , are silenced when Barack Obama wins this thing.
Totally pathetic. Any poll that makes assertions about an entire race of Americans is a BS poll. I for one , have had it as a Black American. I am starting to grow wearly of CNN's race baiting. It needs to stop.
Headline: Rodham Beats Hussein for S.Carolina Primary. Like all sane Blacks, I side with the level-headed majority who believe Hillary Rodham Clinton understands and will do more for us and Africa than Barack Hussein Obama.
First problem with this poll: We don't know that the 1,052 are all registered voters. Second problem: Only 380 plan to vote in the Democratic primary, which puts the margin of error way up. Third problem: Al Gore isn't running for president, so his presence dilutes the meaning of the poll. Gore supporters should have been asked to name a second choice from the candidates who have actually declared.
That's good news - to CNN!!! Good grief, can't you curb your enthusiasm for Shrillary at least a little?
Wow! Such a problem today with this poll. As for Al Gore, his wimpiness did not cause us to be in this predicament. I'm hoping the 10% who want Gore, will vote Clinton, because of the top three, she is the only qualified one to put our country back on track and will help you when you call her office. Can't say the same for the junior senator from Illinois.
See, that fake southern accent is paying off. Y'all.
Good grief people, South Carolina is not as backwards as you may think. We do elect black politicians and are trying to get rid of that annoying flag. If people are so ready to disregard unflattering stereotypes concerning other communities, please do so with regards to South Carolina.
CNN, what were the results for the 380 out of the 1052 adults polled, who just might show up to vote in the Democratic primary? Were these 380 adults even registered to vote in the Democratic primaries? Were the remaining 672 adults registered Democratic voters? Statistically, what are the odds that a white, Democratic, registered voter will vote versus a black, Democratic, registered voter versus a Hispanic, Democratic, registered voter? I'm sure the pollsters have this information. Please share. Otherwise, I find this poll to be rather meaningless other than to influence Americans who cannot think, reason, investigate, read, research, etc., for themselves.
Hillary in charge in South Carolina? Surely you JEST, CNN. That is hilari-ously, UNTRUE. I am not trying to be mean but you have no IDEA how very untrue that is.
Haha. Typical CNN with no credibility. What CNN forgets to mention is that the polling compnay they use is owned by a HUGE Clinton fundraiser.
From MSNBC:
However, we've already had a few folks chime in to remind us that the owner of Opinion Research is none other than InfoUSA, which is owned by Clinton supporter Vinod Gupta. And the Obama campaign says they're laughing at these results. "Our grassroots effort in South Carolina is moving at a historic pace. We couldn’t feel better about the energy and enthusiasm for Obama in the Palmetto State," a spokesman tells First Read.
There is so much anger and ignorance (as well as poor spelling and bad grammar) in some of these postings. It would behoove all of us to be a little more thoughtful and a lot less emotional about this electoral process that we are blessed with. It is apparent when someone in one state writes off the entire population of another state that they are either unbalanced or just stupid. Next time you post, try to write something you'd be proud of...not something that displays your worst side.
In the meantime, this is a poll 15 months ahead of the election(hence, meaningless), so everybody get your panties out of a wad until the race actually means something.
Wow. If John Edwards doesn't have a much stronger showing than this in South Carolina, he has no chance whatsoever.
Good Job Hillary!!
Where's the coverage regarding the letter sent to Hillary Clinton from the Pentagon?
How valid is a poll when they are polling for their own candidate. CNN why don't you call this a Clinton Internal Poll. We are on to you and we will not stop pointing this out.
The use of the words "in charge" again show CNN's bias towards Hillary. There are several more months before – heaen forbid – she could be in charge anywhere. By the way,it was not Gore but Bill Clinton, with his sex scandal and lying, that lostt the election for the Democrats and put Bush in the White House. We have had enough of the Clintons. Let's go for change. Go Obama.
Wow Bill is running again?
This should dismiss Hillary as a serious candidate.
She isn't being judged on her own merit. She is riding the coattails of her husband.
It was a mistake to elect her in NY for the same reason.
I am disappointed in SC and the American voter.
So I guess you loyal right-wing neo-con Clinton bashers are really proud of the idiot you've put in the White House for two terms. If I had voted for George Bush, I think I would relegate myself to those who should never vote again, 'cause obviously you're a real sucker for lies and hypocrites. You guys obviously feel threatened when someone mentions the Clintons, but I guess if I were charmed by morons, I'd feel threatened, too. Hang it up, folks: Idiots should not vote, lest they elect idiots.
I agree with Stephen in the 3rd comment. Hillary won't win SC, not a chance.
It will be Obama or even poss Edwards, but NOT Hillary. She's an icon's spouse, not an icon herself.
I have lived in SC most of my 50 yrs, and I can honestly say... It simply won't happen here !!
I honestly believe that the final Democratic Ticket will be Obama/Edwards, and there's not a Repub running that could beat that team.
Yes Bill Clinotn did a lot for Blacks...no welfare, NAFTA (say good bye to your job at your local plant that you have worked for twenty years), Rwanda (need a reminder of what happened there). I am African American and educated enough to know that Obama is right this bitter politics needs to go. The government can't do anything because theya re stuck on donkeys and elephants. Anyone who thinks Hillary is going to cross the aisle please pass me what you smoking.
"I honestly believe that the final Democratic Ticket will be Obama/Edwards, and there’s not a Repub running that could beat that team."
Paul/...well, I don't know who his VP would be. Paul/Paul?
Let's get cloning!
How many of the readers/posters on these threads are voting for Obama because they are black or Hillary because they are women?
Don't you think that's foolish? Why not vote for someone on thier merits and ideas instead of some cosmetic similiarity?
This caste based race/gender politics is killing America.
Ron Paul in 08!
Look closely at Edwards and Hillary. dadgum if he isn't prettier than she is.
Stephen writes
“I am going to vote for someone because I liked how their husband works" thats like saying I am going to vote for Thompson because he has a trophy wife
That's a horrible analogy. If they like how her husband works, there's a pretty good chance she will be the same, especially since Bill will be with her in the White House. How is that the same as voting for someone because they have a trophy wife? It makes no sense at all. Get your head out of your butt, Stephen.
Remember what Jesse Jackson said to us not so many years ago: In this election process – competition should make us better, not bitter.
To Harold Smith from DC:
No I am not a neo-con or proud of George Bush. But I do live in NY, and know that Hillary has done little over zip or zero for us residents.
What, exactly are you comparing your affection for Hillary to?
I would prefer someone who is self made and has not been in politics their entire career. Hillary has done just that.
Its disheartening to feel that she is just using her position to represent this state to apply for another job instead of focusing on doing it.
What is she running on other than Bill nostalgia? I haven't heard a thing of substance.
The problem with the American voter is we are a culture that loves celebrity and that is why Hillary is currently the front runner.
If you look at the blank piece of paper with her list of accomplishments for NY state, you would have a different opinion.
Bill is not running for president. She is. Try to remember that.
Get over the typical Southern stereotypes real quick...SC is going to be the trendsetter for Edwards in '08 the same way it was for Bush in '00.
How does Elizabeth Edwards rank in the poll?
Hillary's CAMPAIGN KNOWS how to Campaign. They know how to shape her image and when she has to make modifications and adaptations to some valid criticm.
She however, still faces one of the TWO elephants in the room....SEXISM and CHAUVINISM Elephant...she MUST address this upfront. She has NO PROBLEM in targeting both WOMEN & AFRICAN AMERICAN MINORITIES, which is why she is AHEAD in the POLLS.
However, POLLS DO NOT EQUATE to VOTES,
Barack, while he is the $ FRONT Runner has a campaign STRATEGY DEVELOPED by WHITE MALES who do NOT want him to either IDENTIFY as a BLACK MAN and DO NOT WANT HIM to Target the AFRICAN AMERICAN Voter. This is a BIG MISTAKE.
Hillary has NO QUAMS in either identifying and TARGETING BOTH WOMEN and AFRICAN AMERICANS. The AFRICAN AMERICAN BLOCK is the most LOYAL BLOCK of the DEMOCRATIC PARTY. Hillary knows if she gets 33/1/3% of AA's and 60% of WOMEN she will be the DEMOCRATIC Nominee.
Barack's campaign DOES NOT KNOW how to determine a NUMBERS strategy. $'s DO NOT equate to votes or to a GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION.
Did Barack get Debate Training. He also MUST learn to answer questions directly and clearly within 30, 60 or 90 seconds. I hope that he has come to understand that people VOTE FROM their GUT and EMOTIONS and NOT from their INTELLECT. He too must face the second elephant in the room and that is RACISM.......
The campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Bill Richardson are FIRST RATE. These are two highly-intelligent people who have surrounded themselves with the best and brightest in staff and supporters. Biden and Dodd have good people, but the John Edwards campaign (e.g., supporters contributing on his weblog) has very sadly become one of the more immature and snidely malicious campaigns I've seen in my 70+ years on this planet. This saddens me because Sam Myers, a key Edwards staffer, is one of the best in the business. Although HE stays above the fray where the maliciousness is concerned, I'm afraid his hard work and professionalism will be for nothing when the primary season plays out. It's an unfortunate situation.
The youtube "debate" was mostly a joke. This media can be entertaining but in this case it mostly allowed the showcasing or ridiculous questions and images. Fortunately even in this forum Obama projected the person of substance he is and Hillary projected the carefully crafted manipulated image she is so good at. If Obama doesn't make it I hope he has the wisdom to stay away from the Clintons so that it won't taint the true leadership potential he has...hopefully he'll be able to provide this leadership this time around.
Enough with the hyperbole, thanks.
As a South Carolinian...Yes we like Clinton, the problem is I like ALL of the top 4 Democrates,. they all are MUCH BETTER than what we have now. We in SC know that what we all had under Bill Clinton is a whole lot better than what we had with any Bush.
These polls might be good and great, but you know what happened last year...Obama will be last year's Howard Dean, beginning with Iowa... Edwards is obviously going to take the Hawkeye State, and in SC, when it really comes down to it, those who are going to vote for Obama will not vote for him because they know he's not electable. They'll go to their native son... Kerry was also up in SC and Dean and Kerry were killing Edwards in Iowa before the caucuses actually happened. Don't be surprised if Edwards win Iowa big, and carries SC with the switch over votes when people actually get to the polls. Sure, blacks are 50% of SC's vote, but people are mad and want someone who will beat the Republicans...a Yankee winning down here?? NO WAY! hahaha...goes to show you that y'all really don't know the South after all.....you all also need to keep in mind that NC moved their primaries up to Feb 5th with all the other big states. This will get interesting....trust me yankees, Hillary will not win down here. If the Dems were smart, they'd nominate Edwards and put Clinton on the ticket as #2. That will ensure they'll get all the southern votes they can, and Blacks will still vote because of how much they like the Clintons.
I was very impressed with all but (1) Candidate, Mike Gravel. I actually think that all candidates are very intelligent and all could be president.
The people who lead the pack tonight for me were, Joe Biden, John Edwards and Hillary Clinton. To me these (3) seemed to be very knowledgeable about all issues. Edwards and Biden seemed to have plans for most all issues and these (3) seem to be the ones who I think could get use out of all the holes we are trapped in.
I really liked Obama, Dodd and Richardson too. All very well versed in all issues. dennis kucinich is very intelligent. I love the way he sticks to his views. All are amazing candidates.
Hillary 100%.
To ALS in LA, California: The Clintons did a lot for African Americans or at least tired. To say that they stop walfare for blacks( oh, if you are so educated you should know most white are on public assitance), Made NAFTA (again most African Americans dont even work those jobs, again check your education), and as of Rawanda, Im a American not a African first. True I wish we could have done more but what does that have to do with African Americans in this country. Maybe you should read about African Americans more and see what the Clintons have done, Like more job growth and less taxes, If you are so educated as you claim then you should read about it.
With the south being covered in illegal aliens, its hard to believe that voters would even consider a democrat for president. EVERY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE IS FOR AMNESTY, BAR NONE! If a dem gets in, the 20-30 million illegals will get their path to citizenship within 2 weeks of Jan 20, 09/
As an AA from SC, the article correctly articulates black apprehension about Obama's electability. Give blacks some credit, we are a pragmatic people. We embrace Obama, but we also know that the Solid South has controlled every presidential election since Carter. We simply don't trust that white Southerners will will choose Obama over any republican candidate. So, yes Hillary takes much of the AA vote.
Hillary is a "take-charge" woman! She is highly intelligent (of course, an asset which Bush would know nothing about!) and self-confident. She will become our next First Female President of the United States where the Repubs like it or not! (Bush was cheerleading when Hillary was excelling in Law School; what a dumb-ass!)
As a 50yr resident of SC (20yrs in Charleston, 30yrs in Columbia), its easy to see the writing on the SC walls. Hillary will -never- take SC, in the Jan.09 primary.
I have yet to find a single Democrat, or Independent, in Columbia (state capitol, largest city) that likes Hillary. The names I hear most often are: Obama, Edwards, and RonPaul. [Yes Dr.Paul is an x-Libertarian, turned republican, for this election at least, and he is popular with many Independents here in SC.]
This “poll” of SC voters that is touting Clinton’s supremacy, must have a margin of error of +/-105%, laughing out loud.
Although personally I prefer Edwards, I think that Obama will take SC in the primary. (Obama would make a -fine- VP, methinks.)
There is NO WAY Clinton will take SC. It simply won’t happen.
what joke this turned out to be
Go Obama!!!!!!