AP Poll: 'None of the above' leads Republican field

[wyldwolf]

And the leading Republican presidential candidate is ... none of the above.

The latest Associated Press-Ipsos poll found that nearly a quarter of Republicans are unwilling to back top-tier hopefuls Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, John McCain or Mitt Romney, and no one candidate has emerged as the clear front-runner among Christian evangelicals. Such dissatisfaction underscores the volatility of the 2008 GOP nomination fight.

In sharp contrast, the Democratic race remains static, with Hillary Rodham Clinton holding a sizable lead over Barack Obama. The New York senator, who is white, also outpaces her Illinois counterpart, who is black, among black and Hispanic Democrats, according to a combined sample of two months of polls.

A half year before voting begins, the survey shows the White House race is far more wide open on the Republican side than on the Democratic. The uneven enthusiasm about the fields also is reflected in fundraising in which Democrats outraised Republicans $80 million to $50 million from April through June, continuing a trend from the year's first three months.

"Democrats are reasonably comfortable with the range of choices. The Democratic attitude is that three or four of these guys would be fine," David Redlawsk, a University of Iowa political scientist. "The Republicans don't have that; particularly among the conservatives there's a real split. They just don't see candidates who reflect their interests and who they also view as viable."

More Republicans have become apathetic about their options over the past month.

A hefty 23 percent can't or won't say which candidate they would back, a jump from the 14 percent who took a pass in June.

http://www.ashlandcitytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070717/NEWS02/70717001

[Perry Logan]

1. The Republicans shouldn't even bother to run anyone for President in 2008.

They cannot win. They should concentrate on packing up their things to leave the country.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. 'squeeze me, but how many times have our democrats snatched defeat from

the jaws of victory? Not saying it will happen in 08, but no one ever lost money betting on the self-destructive nature of the Democratic Party.

For every Dr. Dean, we have to deal witha Lieberman, or worse, an Emanual. For every great stance by Durbin, we see erosion by Reid. For every great promise Nancy makes, she takes something like impeachment off the table.

The problem seems to be that we forgot how to be in power and how to use it.

[wyldwolf]

6. In presidential elections?

Really only three times in my lifetime - '88, 2000, and 2004. Three times too many, though.

[liberal N proud]

2. If that holds true - The Democratic convention will be the election

All that will be left is the waiting, going through the motions and the parties.

I wont rest though and keep working for the future of a Democratic President

[TomClash]

3. Waiting for Godot nt

[JTFrog]

4. Something I can actually

relate to with a republican. Scary times. :shrug:

[wyldwolf]

7. must suck to be you during these times. I think we have a great field.

[JTFrog]

8. What a lovely sentiment.

No it doesn't suck to be me. I have much more in my life than politics. It does suck not to have a candidate that I feel comfortable with tho.

Thanks for your concern.