February 5, 2008
Posted: 08:39 PM ET
McCain appears to be winning among anti-war Republican voters.

McCain appears to be winning among anti-war Republican voters.

(CNN) — Another surprising finding in the national exit polls: John McCain — who has made the war in Iraq and the need for continued U.S. involvement there a centerpiece of his campaign — is actually winning among Republicans who are against the war. Among those Republicans who disapprove of the war, nearly half voted for McCain, while only a quarter voted for Mitt Romney — even though McCain spent the past few weeks trying to portray Romney as more liberal on the war.

Moderates — those most likely to disapprove of Iraq – seem to simply prefer McCain, even when they don't square on the issues.

– CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider

Filed under: Bill Schneider


congressive   February 6th, 2008 1:27 am ET

Just shows that there are a total of four anti-war Republicans in the entire country: two for McCain, one for Romney and one for Paul.

All the rest are clearly pro-death, warmongering, torture-loving Republicans.

John J   February 6th, 2008 12:36 am ET

How can you say Clinton won in California when only 16% of the vote is in???
Okay I'll be nice…

mrsp   February 5th, 2008 11:08 pm ET

The military industrial complex has brought us to a pitiful state. The consequences may be "intended" so a few can get very wealthy but either way there's definately an elite group that is and has become very wealthy behind this whole "terrist" thing with "Think Tanks" telling the Pentegon what their international policies should be. Think tanks connected contractors and corporations that are not "Elected" by the people. They do not answer to the people and are not accountable to the people. Why are they deciding our policies? John McCain will have them in his back pocket. And now we're borrowing billions from CHINA (our new landlord) to keep a civil war going.
Sa habla es Chinese?

It's time for a change. We need to move forward and quick! Obama represents character and intelligence. We need to pull out of this tailspin we're in and save our country. We need to save democracy.

mrsp   February 5th, 2008 10:59 pm ET

America is tired and spent. Morally and financially bankrupt. These may be "intended" consequences so a few can get very wealthy but either way there's definately an elite group that is and has become very very wealthy behind this whole "terrist" thing. But now we're borrowing billions from CHINA (our new landlord, HELLO) to keep a civil war in Iraq going, can't be a good thing.
Sa habla es Chinese? McCain made a joke with a Beach Boy song, "Barbara Ann", singing Bomb, bomb, bomb,…bomb Iran. Not funny really. This is the person to lead our country? Sure,…let's make the middle eastern nutjobs hate us more than they already do. Not smart at all. America is tired. Time for a change. We need to progress and move forward. Our healthcare is 44 on the list? Behind Slovenia? Pitiful. Obama represents character and intelligence. We need to pull out of this tailspin we're in.

William A   February 5th, 2008 10:22 pm ET

Well I dunno but where I come from if your anti war there's a big difference between voting for a Candidate who says they'll pull out of a war and voting for a Candidate who states he'll stay in Iraq for 100 years !
But then I guess there will be few of these voters still around in a 100 yrs and few of these Candidates including McCain. Children vote wisely in the next century!
DUH

John Jamison   February 5th, 2008 10:21 pm ET

This country is truly in trouble. We've all been so asleep at the wheel that we didn't see our country being invaded by the foreigners from the south. We didn't care when the news "reported" only one or two Americans died in Iraq. We just opened our pockets wider when the economy started to change, and now we're hoping for a miracle in the 25th hour! Give me a break. Let a Democrat in office now, and let it be Barack. Let's trust in change and not the same old rhetoric we've all heard before. If we do the same thing we've always done before, we'll get the same thing we've always gotten. We don't need the Clinton Administration, or a clone of the Bush Administration!

TK   February 5th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

ALAS! A true American spirit and people want to vote for Hilary because she's a woman. WHO CARES! I'm a woman and I voted for OBAMA.

Amber J   February 5th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

Are you kinding me? McCain is leading! Oh brother we're in trouble! First of all, he's not a Republican, he just claims to be one. He's more liberal than the Liberals! Get smart and vote for Romney!

Colton Kerrigan   February 5th, 2008 9:51 pm ET

I do not think many republicans notice that MaCain is winning all the states along the Atlantic coast. As many of us know, those are usually democratic states. in the general election the republican nominee will not have a shot at winning new york, Delaware, Connecticut ect. Rommney country is in the west and that is coming up.

Carlos   February 5th, 2008 9:46 pm ET

This is sad. We have a president in office who plunged us into war under false pretense, put us into an economic disaster, and eroded our standing in the international community. and what do the Republicans do? They throw their support behind another warhawk who freely admits that he knows very little about the economy. Really smart. Wake up people!!

jamie   February 5th, 2008 9:43 pm ET

I think a Democrat should win because Bush has left us in a horrible situation. Hilary follows whatever THEY say, so GO OBAMA! You've got my vote!! OBAMA for President! Real Change, Real Ideas!

Also Concerned   February 5th, 2008 9:39 pm ET

Here, Here!! God Bless the USA!

Let's get our country and our countrymen back!

Tom   February 5th, 2008 9:39 pm ET

McCain is an illusion. Our definition of war hero has certainly changed. One from
proven leaders who actually won wars of defense to the present day of one who spent most of his time as a POW and eventually signed papers denouncing the U.S.
I'm not taking away the gratitued of McCain's serving the in the US military, for many have given their lives for the same cause. I'm not accusing McCain of treason or dishonering the military or it's citizens during time as a POW. What I am saying is McCain did his duty in the military and nothing else. There are many others certainly due much more praise for their service. It's a darn shame McCain claims his military experience gives him the front runner as a commander in chief and of being a "war hero" (?) as his credentials. He's getting more of a sympathy vote than a vote of
confidence. People are disillusioned and want a war hero soooo bad, they are making one up. WAKE UP AMERICA!

SE Asia perspective   February 5th, 2008 9:38 pm ET

Umm, the pullout from Vietnam was a disaster for those living in SE Asia (so not just Vietnam, but also Cambodia, Laos, Burma/Myanmar). Sure things seemed to work out for the US, but we need to also think about the people living in the countries we invade. I have a feeling those currently living in Iraq feel the same.

James Davidson   February 5th, 2008 9:35 pm ET

They must not be very much against the war. There is only one Republican candidate against the war, Ron Paul. Of course you can blame CNN and the other debate sponsers for doing their best to stifle his views and his time on camera in the last few debates. CNN even cut Huckaby out of the debate as much as possible, and look how good he's doing so far in the Tuesday primaries. Journalism at it's absolute worst!

rob   February 5th, 2008 9:33 pm ET

I believe McCain is the republican's best hope for '08. Hilary is the republican's best hope as well since she is more manageable than obama. Go hilary!

chronic   February 5th, 2008 9:30 pm ET

Republicans are just as insane as McCain

Concerned   February 5th, 2008 9:28 pm ET

We need real border control which means several stone wall fences to control the ridiculous overflow of illegal immigrants coming in our country. There are plenty of Americans that don't have jobs, we don't need every single Mexican to come here.
I hope whoever wins has the true interest of Legal American Citizens at heart!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

Joan Perry   February 5th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

People need to stop and think about what this race means. Before the Bush admin took office there was a booming economy, no war, jobs were up and crime was down, now look at the mess the country is in. But you can thank the people who put him into office. So the next time you hear about another life lost, another job gone down the tubes, another crime spree, or the recession, thank a republican!

wndchsr   February 5th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

Just proves how utterly stupid and lazy the average person is, they vote without doing the first bit of research.

Tanner   February 5th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

I believe Romny is the best candidate on the Republican side. Hopefully the race will be between Romny and Obama. Let the best candidate win!

Nick   February 5th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

I thought this headline was a hoax….but alas it does confirm that our nation if full of sheep…and we need a good culling.

There is only 1 anti-war conservative candidate…and how the Republican sheeple supposedly "against the war" manage to pick a man saying he doesn't care if we have to stay in Iraq "for a hundred years" is truly beyond my understanding.

Otto   February 5th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

Sarah
They used to say it would be a disaster to pull out of Vietnam. It wasnt.
And it will work out when we leave Iraq.

We attacked Iraq. Iraq never attacked us. Bush violated international law.
Bush created a premise by which any petty dictator can attack a neighbor based on being concerned about a possible later attack, without any reality to it.

Tom   February 5th, 2008 9:17 pm ET

McCain is no Commander in Chief……….Dewight Esenhower was a commander in Chief. On the ground, grunt it out commander. McCain is an illusion that the republicans are grasping for. McCain was not a foot soldier, McCain was a fly boy, and one who's final mission was unsuccessful. Let's tell it like it is..

Pete   February 5th, 2008 9:17 pm ET

It’s time to stop this anti-immigration movement.
A few pathetic guys with money and their radio propaganda will not tell Americans what to do. Viva America-Viva Immigrants-Viva McCain and Obama!
What happened to Ron Paul and Mitt Romney and their anti immigration rhetoric and propaganda-they are simply finished! Oh, I forgot to mention the most pathetic candidate-Tom Tancredo who pulled out so early-we don’t miss you Tom!
Are you blind? Stop wasting your time-America is all about immigrants and always will be! God Bless America!

Otto   February 5th, 2008 9:15 pm ET

Perhaps the voters who say that they are against the war but chose McCain are of McCain's age. Thus we can explain this weird voting pattern with Alzheimer's.

Jacob   February 5th, 2008 9:07 pm ET

Its amazing how stupid Americans are, and we wonder why other countries laugh at us. We want the War to stop, yet we're voting for a fake war hero that wants us to stay in Iraq longer than anyone else wants. Romney is the best candidate yet he's losing to an old man who is basically a cross between Bush & Dole. Unbelievable, time for me to vote democrat if Obama wins and move out of the country if Clinton wins.

cherny   February 5th, 2008 9:07 pm ET

The clever people of this world never fail to explain things succinctly. Who could I have missed the overall pattern? Clearly every event in history just boils down to people being stupid. That's what got us into Iraq in the first place, More than 80% of the country were wasting their time analysing the geopolitical implication of the venture, when they could have instantly find the answer in stupidity.

Tannim   February 5th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

100-year-war Insane McCain gets the anti-war vote?

Now THAT'S just wrong.

No wonder the GOP is headed for the trash pile of history.

War is anti-war.
Up is down.
Left is right.

1984 is here.

God Help Us All!

Steve M.   February 5th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

Deke R said:
"The question still remains why the moderates supported Mccain in the primary ,and will they continue to support him in the general election or is it a setup?"

That depends entirely on who wins the Democratic primary, does it not?

wes   February 5th, 2008 9:04 pm ET

Americans are idiots. I hope you will all learn your lesson after this election.

adam   February 5th, 2008 9:04 pm ET

NEWS! COMMUNICATION CABLES CUT TODAY IN MIDDLE EAST! SEARCH REUTERS AND AP! Where's the coverage on this CNN?

doush baggg!!!!   February 5th, 2008 9:01 pm ET

it dose not matter about the republican ticket any way G.W. has left that party in shambles

sar   February 5th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

Go Hillary… soon to be President!!! We want you!!! Have been supporting you all along even when the national media wasn't. You are the one for our country to unify us and bring our country togetherfor and the world!!!!!!! GO HILLARY!!!!!

Nate   February 5th, 2008 8:59 pm ET

Typical American voters. It makes me sad.

Marjorie Fowler   February 5th, 2008 8:59 pm ET

I'm glad to see Obama ahead in some states. We need a change from the Republicans and the old Clinton Administration. I just wish you people at CNN would announce the wins in a more fair manner. You spend too much time talking about Clinton's wins and not talking about Obama.
He should win fair and square without your news commentators trying to make it a racial vote and trying to build Clinton up in your news commentary.
SHAME ON YOU!!!

Sarge in Florida   February 5th, 2008 8:59 pm ET

Just goes to show how STUPID republicans are…They don't want to continue in Iraq but they still vote for McCain who stated that we might be there for 100 years….McCain needs to go into his nursing home…Way to OLD…Just like Regan was..he will get alzheimer's and won't know which end is up….God help this country if another Republican gets into the White House…Canada here i come…

X   February 5th, 2008 8:59 pm ET

I think it could be because they think McCain is the one who's going to end the war by winning it. People don't like war, so they don't want to vote for someone who will pull out spontaneously, which will encourage terrorsts since they'd definitely say they won and terrorism works and they can even beat America, then they would draw us back into another war in the future. So even if they opposed the war from the beginning, they know there's no easy way out, and the war has to be seen through to the end to actually stop them. Hilary wants us all out in a year, and that seems a little unreasonable unless you have Godlike negotiating skills and somehow manage to take control of underground networks.

Campbell   February 5th, 2008 8:58 pm ET

shocking, when they have a conservative anti-war candidate in Congressman Ron Paul. Either mb is right (they vote mccain because they're against the HANDLING of the war, rather than the war itself), or media exclusion really DOES work to prevent knowledge of a candidate from spreading.

heights-girl   February 5th, 2008 8:58 pm ET

Someone needs to tell Blitzer that the word "project" isn't pronounced
PREJECT. Did this guy graduate from elementary school?

Mentant   February 5th, 2008 8:57 pm ET

Just goes to show you that americans tend to vote for personality, whether actual or percieved. Its helped McCain weather the storm of conservative discontent, and will prove to be an anchor on Hillary.

Deke R   February 5th, 2008 8:57 pm ET

The question still remains why the moderates supported Mccain in the primary ,and will they continue to support him in the general election or is it a setup?

cella   February 5th, 2008 8:56 pm ET

This is just evidence of the intellectual free lunch occurring at the polls. The biggest threat to America are those who vote without understanding the candidates' positions. This is how we got Bush Jr. in office… twice.

Henry   February 5th, 2008 8:55 pm ET

even realists should be able to realize that we're not fighting a winnable war

js   February 5th, 2008 8:55 pm ET

People are dumb, they bought the media propaganda about McWarmonger being a "moderate".

The anti-war republican vote should have gone to Ron Paul, but geez any of them are better than McWarmonger.

jerrytimms   February 5th, 2008 8:55 pm ET

People who think McCain is a moderate haven't done their research!

peter   February 5th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

McCain seems more open to discussion, alternative views, bi-partisan outreach, etc.

Some may feel that he might be less rigid once in office when presented with intelligence, unlike the Bush administration who seemed to spend their time in the White House rejecting the opinions of experts (Iraq, Terry Shaivo, Global Warming, etc). Romney thinks that Bush has done a great job (for the most part) as President, which is completely at odds with most peoples' opinions (including many Republicans).

Tom   February 5th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

US citizens fear loosing more than anything. The problem is the Bush administration, of which McCain is following by a nose, hasn't told anyone we actually won the war that we started. Sadam was captured and executed and the US occupies the country. I call that winning. The problem is that Bush/McCain what to occupy Iraq long term. McCain rants about surrender and waving the white flag. Hog wash! Iraq keeps the American's occupied which in turn, US citizens forgot about Bin Laden……of which Bush and McCain will fail to bring to justice…..time for a REAL change!

sarah   February 5th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

I am an anti-war democrat, however, I am also a realist. It would be a disaster to pull out, maybe those polled feel the same.

dawhb   February 5th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

I think he'll also attract most of the independent voters once he get nominated for republican candidate.

mb   February 5th, 2008 8:50 pm ET

your analysis is horrible. they vote for McCain not because they are "against the war" but because they are against the way it has been handled by Bush. They think McCain will manage the war much better.

claire riccardi   February 5th, 2008 8:48 pm ET

Please tell your commentators and graphics person:
It's a split AMONG McCain, Romney and Huckabee in GA, NOT BETWEEN. Between means two. Thank you.

henry   February 5th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

A War with No American Advantage

beno   February 5th, 2008 8:46 pm ET

i agree with the above comment. i dont think these people even know where the candidates stand……. just dumb and lazy…… self-contradictory.

whatsitToyou   February 5th, 2008 8:45 pm ET

Wow this proves it people are dumb! People who are against the war vote for 100 years of war McCain! HAHA!

Henry   February 5th, 2008 8:44 pm ET

This just shows how unreliable exit polls really are.

Ida ca   February 5th, 2008 8:41 pm ET

People are just dumb.

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