Today's (Dec 11, 2007) NY Times has an article reporting polling about the Presidential candidates. The title, "Poll Finds GOP Field Isn't Touching Voters", is a misnomer. The article discusses both Republican and Democratic candidates. The raw results are also displayed as part of the article.

 

To quote one paragraph,

"In the national poll by The Times and CBS News, Republican voters said by 61 percent to 27 percent that they were looking for a presidential candidate who had the right experience rather than one with new ideas."

This is an demonstration by Republican voters that they think their ideas and philosophy of governing are fine. They just need to find the right individual to implement those policies. What this means to Democrats is the argument that they will not be running against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney and 2008 is not entirely accurate. Democrats will be running against the ideas and philosophy of governing of Bush and Cheney.

On the Democratic side, the poll was limited by its focus on just Clinton, Obama and Edwards.

Quoting from the article again,

"Mr. Obama’s argument that Mrs. Clinton would be a divisive figure who could not accomplish anything as president does not appear to be breaking through nationally: 65 percent of Democratic voters said she would be able to bring the country together; 54 percent said the same of Mr. Obama."

Excuse me. Earth to Democrats. As we have written here before, if Democrats want to improve their chances of losing by taking the debate away from the future of this country, then nominate Hillary Clinton.

Then there's the question of the effect of having the proper experience to do the job. Quoting again,

"The poll confirmed that former President Bill Clinton was an effective campaign weapon for his wife. Forty-four percent of Democratic voters say Mr. Clinton’s involvement will make them more likely to support her. In fact, about as many of Mrs. Clinton’s backers say they are supporting her because of her husband as say they are supporting her because of her own experience."

Memo to Democrats and Independents: A candidate must be able to stand alone. Democrats, your approval of Bill Clinton's performance as President is well known. But once the election is over, if Hillary is elected, then it will be Hillary sitting behind the desk, not Bill.

Read the article for yourself.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/us/politics/11poll.html?_r=1&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1197382218-US5xADHBKc+r7rtyprr2Sg