Which candidate can bring in the most swing voters?

[conservdem]

Sorry if this one has been posted before, but this probably the most important question for all that want to see Bush gone.

IMO its Clark.

Disclosure: I am also the the guy from MA that posted thread against Kerry and for Clark.

On edit: Please really think about the question and answer it honestly. Thanks.

[arewethereyet]

1. Only Edwards comes close to American sensibilities

because he runs on the same principles Americans all embrace.

Everyone else deviates somewhere or other.

[Meritaten1]

2. Clark

He appeals to a wide cross-section of voters.

[Leilani]

3. According to New Mexico paper endorsement

for Clark, they say he has best chance to bring Indys & Reps.

One of the reasons I support him...we need to rebuild our majority.

[bobbieinok]

4. Clark - maybe Edwards

Not Kucinich, Dean

and unfortunately probably not Kerry. Why?? because he's (gasp, choke) 'liberal'

[corporatewhore]

12. see post 11

[library_max]

5. Well, Clark and Kerry have military experience.

And the primary returns indicate that Kerry had wide support among independents in New Hampshire (and some Republicans). Nationwide, Dean has shown strength among independents, crossover voters, and traditional nonvoters. I think any of the top four could appeal to swing voters. Right now, they're concentrating on Democrats, for obvious reasons. But I think any of the four has a strong case to make (not the same case, but a strong one in each case) for swing voter support.

[blm]

6. Why don't you check the NH numbers for Independents and GOPpers

who voted there. I do believe there are some stats available with a breakdown of all the votes per candidate.

[John_H]

7. I'm not sure NH independents represent swing voters nationwide

Doesn't NH have one of the highest independent registration percentages?

I'd look at nationwide issue numbers and compare those to the candidate's positions and. if applicable, voting records.

[Kathleen04]

8. Clark!

I also think that Edwards could also easily appeal to swing voters as well.

[xultar]

9. Clark! nt

[GreenArrow]

10. Kerry or Clark

.

[corporatewhore]

11. DK won in Ohio w/lots of reagan dem support old school cons like him

because of his stance on patriot act libertarians and reform partyers like him because hes anti nafta greens love him hell even my anarchist friends who dont vote out of princeple are considering him

[texasmom]

13. Definitely Clark

...and we *have* to have the swing voters---whether people want to believe it or not. If one of our candidates can bring them over, it's Clark.

[MurikanDemocrat]

14. So far it's been Kerry

In IA and NH, and in most state polls so far.

[PurityOfEssence]

15. Maybe, but the net gain will be much greater with Edwards

Clark may attract more crossovers, but Edwards will get a fair amount of them, plus probably more southerners, more non-voters and he'll have far less defections from the left. So even though Clark can probably pull more "swing voters" than Edwards, it'll be close, and with the other groups Edwards can pull, he's the better across-the-board candidate.

Remember: anyone who would vote for Clark in the general (haha) election will probably vote for Edwards, with the exception of some centrists, but Edwards will pull more youth vote, not lose as many lefties, and probably pull more in the South. Edwards also has a very powerful rural platform that the others don't have.

From a pure electability standpoint, I'd still say that Edwards is the one. He has a presence that will cause many of the feckless non-voters to take notice, whereas Clark is not so actively engaging. Admittedly, Clark has improved, but it's spotty and he's still not the dynamic go-out-and-engage-'em gregarious type. Edwards isn't either, exactly, but he's more earnest and extro, whereas Kerry is the most reserved of the three.