Is Lieberman the top Dem in many polls because he's the most recognized?

[liberalhistorian]

I share DU's general consensus against Holy Joe. I realize that there are some Lieberman supporters here, but they're few and far between. And most other Dems I know are very much against him. Like me, they will vote for him if he's the nominee to get rid of the Boy King Impostor and his merry band of fascist criminals and thieves, but that's about it.

Therefore, I'm really curious as to why, in many polls I see, Lieberman remains at the top of the pack. I'm thinking that, at this early point in the game, the reason is that he's really the only name generally recognized. Remember that something like 60% of Dems couldn't name the candidates, and it's months before the primaries, voters aren't yet paying much attention. I just can't believe that most Dems would really support Holy Joe. His backstabbing of Gore in 2000 alone is enough for many Dems I know, they consider him a betrayer.

So, what do you think? Are Dems really supporting Holy Joe (gag), or his his leading in many polls just due to name recognition at this point?

[JohnKleeb]

1. Id think so

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

2. Yes

it's pretty much name recognition at this point.

[JohnKleeb]

3. that does make sense really

[Disandra]

4. Mmmmm....

I think there are a lot of factors.

1-I'm not sure exactly *who* they are polling, but I would say that some of the poll numbers come from supporters of the DNC. IMO, the DNC is a bit out-of-touch with us (for a number of reasons, but I won't get into them).

2-Also, I would love to see how many people they actually polled. I saw a poll that was conducted with 250 people. Not a lot. :-)

3-How are these questions asked? There was a thread a little earlier today giving the different questions about the chief pResident.

Anyway, just my 2 cents.

[liberalhistorian]

9. That's a good point about the DNC

types, I'm sure they're desperate for Holy Joe to be the nominee, and the hell with what the rank and file party members want and what's good for the country!

You're also correct about the way questions are worded in polls, that makes all the difference in the world.

[bread_and_roses]

5. I think so

...really, I don't think many people are paying much attention at this point to the primary race.

[joeybee12]

7. He leads in National Polls, Lags in Individual State Polls

Has to be name recognition. He's sure to nosedive now that he's decided to crusade against Dean. What filth.

[liberalhistorian]

10. That's for sure! I couldn't believe it when I saw the front-page

article in USA Today a few weeks ago on Lieberman's whining about how Dean would "ruin" the party and "send it back to the wilderness for many years" and other total sour grapes bullshit. Never mind that his repuke-liteness might be the thing turning Dems off and sending the party into the wilderness!

[uptohere]

6. there is no question that he's got the best name recognition

and I don't think his opinions as experssed in the past, say, year factor it at all. He ran with Gore and they assume more of the same from him.

Clearly its NOT more of the same but turning a corner in the wrong direction but you would have to be paying attention to know that. America has not really been paying attention. Its been summer and politics are only of interest to people who follow politics all the time.

That being said, there ARE dems who support him. He has managed to acquire a boatload of money (hell, I'd like 10% of that money).

Bottom line is that its way too early to think that everyman has even considered looking into it, much less decided. Check the various and sundry polls and I see that very plainly. They don't like Bush but he beats every candidate individually, they have never heard of the other candidates. Against any dem he still wins, they know nothing about any of them so how can they lean that way unless they just pull the "D" as a matter of course.

When the leaves fall you'll know better. Better clarify, when the leaves fall in Virginia. Trees may all be bare now in Maine for all I know !

[xJlM]

8. God, I hope so (name recognition)

He's just a name folks recognise, I hope. Most folks are not terribly concerned with who's running right now, just the political junkies.

Polls are bullshit, anyway, used by con men to spin their candidate.

[jiacinto]

11. Maybe it's because DU isn't representative of what

most Democrats think.

[leesa]

12. No but the Republican controlled media would have you think

that Joe is what moderate Democrats want

[LittleApple81]

13. How do you expect a regular person to really know what is going on

if s/he relies on mainstream media to find out?
How many real discussions of Democratic candidates' ideas or analysis of their positions have you seen in the mainstream media?
Lieberman was the VP candidate with Gore. That is the name recognition he gets. People are embarrassed to say they do not have any idea so they grasp at the only name that "rings a bell." I am not even positive that they realize he was the VP candidate, it just sounds familiar.

[pansypoo53219]

14. yup

name recognition ONLY.

[opihimoimoi]

15. The poor thing is burnt toast. TOAST

Sorry Joe, you gatta go.

[Shanty Oilish]

16. Well, if he wins the nom & proceeds to unseat Bush

I would not call it the sorriest election I've ever seen.

[eileen from OH]

17. I think it's just a carry-over

from when Gore chose him. He was touted as the "conscience" and the "moral" part of the Democratic party - the Anti-Clinton as it were. And entire election cycle was spent spinning him as such and some folks (including him) have not let go of that image.

eileeeen from OH

[ScreamingMeemie]

18. Yes and hopefully he will be eclipsed soon...

by someone else. I think he is going to fade pretty quickly.

[John_H]

19. Keep in mind:

We should't forget that we political junkies are vary odd birds. Most of our fellow citizens may know that Herry and Dean are running for President, couldn't tell you what DG's last job was, don't even know who Edwards is, and think Kucinich is a polish pastry.

Their radar screens aren't even switched on yet. I was on the phone an old friend the other day, a really smart guy by the way, and I mentioned Clark. He said, "Who?" He had never heard of him.

When people start paying attention, Lieberman will be toast.

[Name removed]

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[UnapologeticLiberal]

21. Yes, I think so

But today a poll came out that showed him in second nationwide. Kerry was first. I was happy about this poll, because I like Kerry a lot better than Lieberman, and I was also happy because Dean had moved from 4th to 3rd and is now leading Gephardt, who dropped several points.

http://www.pollingreport.com/wh04dem.htm