Poll shows Clinton holds strong lead
The Democratic frontrunners, Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, speak before the AFL-CIO forum Tuesday.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York retains her position firmly at the front of the pack of Democratic presidential candidates, with a poll Thursday giving her 44 percent of the vote, nearly double the 24 percent garnered by the next-closest candidate, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.
But the data were not all rosy for the former first lady.
Among Democrats who never graduated from college, Clinton leads Obama by 26 points. But among Democrats with a college degree, Clinton has only a three-point edge. Turnout is typically higher among college graduates, particularly during primaries.
Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina was favored by 16 percent of the 458 registered voters who described themselves as Democrats or as independents who lean Democratic. (Full poll results [PDF])
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson followed, with 5 percent; Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware attracted 3 percent; and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio won 2 percent. Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and former Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska each attracted less than one half of one percent.
The poll, which had a sampling error of plus-or-minus 4.5 points, was conducted by telephone Monday through Wednesday.
Since June, no candidate's support has changed by more than one point with Gore out of the race.
The Obama supporters are in denial, like George Bush about Iraq!
The result of this poll showing Hillary having a strong lead is also supported by two recent national polls by different organizations showing her surge, while Obama was declining or holding.
This is obvious based on her, vs Obama's, performance in the recent national CNN debates, and Obama's comments that followed.
It seems to me that Hillary has the highest name recognition nationally, and at this stage she should be in first place. Edwards also has run before, has second highest name recognition, so he ought to be in second place. Obama, should be below Biden, but he has had more exposure in the media and should be in second or third. And that's what the national polls reflect. However, in the places where the voters are really paying attention closely, Iowa, for example, it is a pretty close race. These candidates are all reasonable, but there isn't a clear front runner when the candidates are getting their messages out and people are paying attention to what they actually say rather than just reading a headline. Anyway, that's my opinion.
Rock the Hill 08!
I feel bad for the Obama supporters, not only has he bombed EVERY debate by underlining and boldening his inexperience, but his campaign just isnt gaining traction.
Since day 1 on Jan 21st I've supported Hillary; she's honest, intelligent and I trust her. Its one thing to be a Clinton but its also one thing to be a women, with 21+ pt leads in every poll and growing, too have more than twice as many endorsements as your nearest challenger.
Obama is just an inexperienced, vague, stuttering monkey as far as I can see.
Hillary Clinton IS the next president of the United States.
you can write it down.
Hillary is leading because she is the most qualified candidate. All you losers need to stop whining.
To Greg Phoenix:
I do believe Bush must have given you a pair of his Rose Colored Glasses, as you see the same Republican Utopia as he's seen for the past six years!
Bush had a Dream but unlike the Greatest Leader in American History, Martin Luther King, that's all he had and all he still has!
Please take off the Glasses and walk into the present. See the reality of the world today. In six short years thanks to Bush, it has gone from a relatively peaceful state, short of a few occassional flare ups, to a world full of disaster, hatred, deception, lies, scandal, injustice, no justice, nauseating government patronage, international chaos, disrespect and vengence, partisan leadership, legal infractions, crimes, out of jail free pardons, Mid East Carnage, Bombs, Bombs, Bombs, Billions in dollars and lives wasted under the pretense of bringing peace to a Nation that didn't need it until Bush sent in the troops!
Please take off the blinders, take a drink from the bottle of Truth before it's too late and you miss the second coming! For there is no ALice, Wonderland, Cinderella, Prince or Frog. The Sleeping Beauties must awake to the real world and take responsibility for the Hellish, tormented, existence our claimed to be enemies are living through day after day whilst we have the audacity to gripe over oil prices and higher taxes. Do you ever wonder Greg who the real terrorists really are? I really believe the answer to that question differs depending on what side of the world one is living on.
It is interesting to note that Obama and Clinton are nearly tied amongst democrats with a college degree. This excites me for Obama, because college graduates are people that follow politics and are probably more familiar with Obama than those that don't have a degree. For those that don't have a degree it is a matter of time as they learn more about Obama.
Clinton is a familiar name but she is not bringing fresh ideas.
Obama is. The more people educate themselves about him, the more they will be impressed. Just watch.
Here you go.
Compare Hillary and Obama's voting records side by side. There's a website you can do that;
They voted IDENTICALLY in all but 4 minor voting issues.
Obama is not any better than Hillary; just very inexperienced.
Anyone thinking he would be "change" is completely uninformed. I live in Chicago; Obama hasn't proven himself in any way, aside from flashy speeches, which show him ultimately to be a lightweight. That will become more evident over time, and my prediction to my coworkers from April is coming true; Hillary's polling numbers are increasing, and will continue..as over time, Obama's will stagnate, and drop off..not to a very low level, but enough.
It is not enough to simply vote for Barrack Obama when the primaries come around. The corporate media wants to further the propaganda that there's already a crowned candidate for whatever their reasons are. People who are educated with the candidates and where they stand hands down prefer Obama in majority, but the real trick will be keeping the lemmings from overrunning the polls simply because they know Hillary and have heard she's ahead anyway.
Talk to people about their views, about where they stand with the candidates. Challenge them. Ask them point blank why Hillary makes a better candidate.
If we can actually spur true thought, and get people to actually pay attention to more than the sound bites, then Obama will hands down be the next President of The United States.
Educate yourselves, educate others, do not stand by and wait to vote, voting is not enough, we need to actually participate in our democracy for a change if we're to accomplish anything real and good.
The future is pending but it is not set until WE set it or else we let others set it for us.
Look at all of you people, so upset at the idea that a woman could actually be our next President. There isn't a single candidate out there who is more qualified than her. It's time to wake up and face the facts people, SHE is in the lead, whether you like it or not. Clinton/Obama 2008
If you are tired with Polls, then don't look at the result, you just dream what you like. I agree with Providence completely. Media said Highly educated people don't like Hillary if it is true, the reason is, they think they are smarter than Hillary, they are envious of her, they are jealous of her, they are negative and mean, they are unhappy with their own lives. I got MA degree, I have over 20,000 hours volunteer, I help community people, I am very happy with my life and thank God everyday what he blessed me, I love Hillary and I will support her with my best because she is the most qualified person to be the President. Please look at her picture again and read her book "Living History" then you will understand who is Hillary. She is the best looking good person than other candidates, best speaking candidate(not fast like Rudy, not stammer like Obama, not excite like others), she has the dignified presence of the next President. She will make our Country stronger than ever.
Well, if Hillary wins, then it's just business as usual. I see her as cautious, cerebral, afraid to say the wrong thing, yet this doesn't tell me anything about where she stands on issues. Typical of politicians – beating around the bush.
I like Obama, being up front about things, speak out what is on his mind. He speaks from his heart too. I don't sense that with Hillary.
It's hard for me to understand why she has such a strong lead. I don't know what people see in her.
In order to change things, people need to moved. I don't see that in her. I see that in Obama. He has the ability to inspire people and move them ... unless they let fear stand in their way.
I still haven't decided who to vote for yet, however, I have decided I will NOT vote for CLINTON. We have already had 8 years of her husband and 12 years of the Bush's. Do we really want to risk another 8 years of another CLINTON? That will make 28 years of CLINTON's and BUSH's. I have enough of both of these families!
28 years of Clinton's and Bush's? Wow. Never thought of that. Good point.
You'll be a minority Vince. People do want more of the same.
Until our economy crashes, people vote the pocketbooks, not social or moral issues.
I'm voting Ron Paul, but he won't win as he is a real candidate like Obama. We'll be minorities together. Don't worry, once we are slaves to the system, people will vote for change.
Don't be surprised about the cheerleading. After all, this is CNN, the Clinton News Network
I find it funny that I just read a different CNN post that stated
"A Washington Post/ABC News poll of Iowa voters released on August 3 had Clinton, Obama and Edwards in a virtual tie in that key early caucus state. Obama led with 27 percent, while Clinton and Edwards both had 26 percent. "
Go figure
If you don't like the results of a poll, then ignore it. What's the big deal here? The fact is that Hillary has momentum right now and is leading in every poll. However, we know from past experience that things can change in politics. It's still early and, while she does have a clear advantage in being seasoned, experienced and articulate, I am not yet ready to count out Barack Obama. He is in this for the long haul and it's not over yet.
I happen to believe that this is probably not Barack's time right now. But I do think he will make it an interesting campaign. He is intelligent, forceful and has some good ideas. I like the fact that Hillary will have to work for the nomination. That is as it should be.
I have concerns about Hillary's electability in a general election. Her high negatives concern me. But the simple truth is that she is the best person right now for the tough job of trying to undo the mess that the Bush administration has made. I sill have an open mind and have not made a final decision. But I am not going to have a hissy fit over early polls.
CNN.. this is a random poll.. it means absolutely nothing... I care about their policies on domestic and foreign affairs... not the margin of error in a pole that is WAY TOO SOON
The Republicans dream of Hillary being our nominee. We cannnot play into their hands and give them what they want. Hillary is unelectable in the general election and her being nominated is the only chance the Republicans have to win in 08. She is just too horrible and has no chance of winning. I, for one, would rather vote for Bush than to have a person such as her in the white house. She will turn other life-long dems against the party as well. She is unelectable.
Why are you blocking or boycotting Ron Paul. I am a life long Republican. I am also an Iraqi War veteran and disabled veteran. Is this america or a conspiracy state. He is the only candidate , The rest are all the same. I can't tell the difference between Dems and Republicans any more. I beg you please help Ron Paul save our great Republic. To me my friends and family he is our only and best hope. For our children for our future, we must have a tomorrow . The country cannot go on as is. I beg you in Gods name to support this great american. Restorer of the Republic and last defender of the Consitution.
Sincerely,