Howard Dean Still an Unknown Quantity to Many Americans

[leQ]

some really disturbing numbers here

[AnnitaR]

1. Well according to this poll...

Dean is not our "front runner" nor does he have it all "wrapped up".

However, this is a Gallup poll and their numbers have been wacky lately. I'll just take this one with a grain of salt like I do all the other ones, even though my guy does make a real good showing in this one.

Must say that Holy Joe's numbers never cease to amuse me. Hello my fellow Americans, get over Joe being on the ticket with Gore. Join the rest of us here in 2003. :eyes:

[w4rma]

2. Don't Know (among Dems): 54%, Don't Know(among all): 33%

I'm happy with these numbers. It shows that folks are either still looking at him or may support him later when introduced. And the 70+% favorability and low unfavorability show that the Kerry/Gephardt attacks have done little to no damage to him whatsoever. Those attacks may have backfired on Gephardt, considering his high unfavorability rating which is about the same as Lieberman's (who had viciously attacked Dean earlier in the primary).

[Lady President]

3. Why is it disturbing?

Gallup's numbers are definitely interesting, but I don't find them disturbing. Lieberman, Clark, Dean, Gephardt, and Kerry are virtually tied in every category after you factor in the +/-3% which will make for an exciting few months. Lieberman still has the name recognition from 2000, but I really don't think the average Dem. will vote for him. To most of us it's amazing that more people don't know our candidates, but it's to be expected and it will change long before the general election. Some of the strong ABB feeling is keeping people from caring about the primaries and they're focusing on next Nov.

[chaumont58]

5. Your question is right on

These forums are prowled by political junkies. John Q Public, or Joe Sixpack has more pressing things on his mind right now. Get into the first quarter of next year, and thing will change.

[truthisfreedom]

4. your average joe doesn't even think about it right now.

who cares.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. Your average Joe is thinking

about one thing-getting rid of Bush. My husband, who works as a mechanic, keeps a low political profile because there are so many conservatives in this part of Arkansas. Yesterday, a good old boy came up to him, and, in the course of conversation, said, "We've got to get rid of Bush. He's dangerous and hurting the country." We're both getting the same message from different people around here, and these people aren't political junkies. My take on all of this is that, once a candidate is selected, there will be a lot of people willing and able to get behind him and vote for him because they are seeing Bush as a disaster for this country.

[onehandle]

7. Yep, It's a toss up...

But if you watch Faux, you'd think Howard Dean was the only candidate.

[HFishbine]

8. Could cut either way

If Dean is truely a populist candidate, then this is good news. It means that his support will only grow as more people come to know of him.

If, on the other hand, he is out of touch with the mainstream, as some suggest, his current support may rest largely among the politically active and perhaps he will gain little additional support as the "main stream" starts paying attention.

I think it's the former that is more likely, but only time will tell.

[Guaranteed]

9. BUSH is still an "unknown quantity" to many Americans

There are just some dumbasses out there who will be perpetually uninformed.

[Larkspur]

10. These poll numbers will increase for Dean after he wins Iowa and NH

The media stories of his victories in these states will start a tidal wave of momentum that will affect the polls, especially of the primary states after IA and NH.

[Stuckinthebush]

11. And then when Clark gets on the ticket

Or Dean gets on Clark's ticket...it's all over for the Repubs. I still hope one of those guys wins and asks the other to join him as VP. I think that they would be unstoppable.

[munayman]

12. We need Bush

I hope Dean gets the candidacy, we need Bush in office again.