RAS TRACKING POLL: Hillary over Obama (38%-21%), Edwards third (16%)

[jefferson_dem]

...

In the race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination, Hillary Clinton once again enjoys as much support as her top two challengers combined. The former First Lady attracts 38% of the vote from Likely Democratic Voters. Barack Obama is currently the top choice for 21% of Likely Democratic Primary voters while John Edwards attracts 16% (see recent daily numbers). New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich top the Democrats’ second tier. Both men now earn the votes from 5%.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/2008_democratic_presidential_primary

Here's the trend -- http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2008__1/daily_presidential_tracking_polling_history

[still_one]

1. It is really quite simple, Obama and Edwards should unite forces /nt

[Adelante]

2. I saw this yesterday

It pretty much says what I think - that there is no rationale for Obama and Edwards to join forces.

Ambinder: Clinton-Edwards Mutual Sustainability

John Edwards remains strong in Iowa, per a new Time Magazine poll.

John Edwards and Hillary Clinton have a mutual interest in seeing each other’s candidacy prosper over the next four months.

Edwards wants Clinton’s national poll ratings to rise, rise, rise. That way, if/when he beats her in Iowa, he will have slain a giant. Also, the thinking in Edwards land is that if Clinton rises, the press will conclude that Barack Obama is falling.

Clinton wants Edwards to keep his lead in Iowa and remain competitive nationally. Some of her advisers figure that Edwards and Obama are competing for largely overlapping pool of undecided voters.

Edwards also fires at Obama from his left and provides voters with a nice contrast, in the minds of the Clinton campaign, in terms of policy. It’s probably true that some Clinton advisers are comfortable, right now, with John Edwards’s being seen as the boldest candidate, policy-wise. Better Edwards than Obama.

Defeating Edwards in Iowa — something the Clinton campaign believes is doable but not absolutely vital — could clinch the nomination for Clinton if and only if Edwards remains strong enough to be…beaten.

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/08/the_edwardsclinton_mutual_sust.php

[Dawgs]

3. You can come up with a similar scenario for any candidate.

I don't think Obama and Edwards should join forces. I think their supporters should pledge to support the leading candidate of the two after the first few primaries.

I'm an Obama supporter, and I will pledge to support Edwards if he is the obvious second choice behind Hillary. I hope the Edwards supporters will do the same.

[still_one]

7. If that is the case, Clinton will be the nominee. She has to much of the Democratic

establishment behind her

[Adelante]

13. Yes, you could

I happen to agree with this one in that I think it's what is actually happening, not just a scenario.

I know the netroots is wanting an Obama-Edwards deal as you describe, but I don't see it in Obama's interest. I also don't think the general voting public operate that way. Some would choose one or the other over Clinton, but I would think most would choose who they want, which could easily be Clinton.

[still_one]

6. Let one promise the other VP. Otherwise, they will end up both losing /nt

[jaysunb]

4. No, they shouldn't !

They should just give up and anoint Hillary like everyone else. Why waste all that time and money trying talk about "change" when we all know people want to keep things just as they are....more war, more cultural wars, more hate from one side or the other. We LIKE things just the way they are and only Hillary or any Republican can assure the status quo.

Right ?

:sarcasm:

[still_one]

8. Your words will become a minority, because Obama and Edwards will split the vote

and Hillary will win the nomination

[jaysunb]

11. Oh well. I've been a minority all my life.

or so I've been told.....:evilgrin:

[still_one]

12. and for the most part I have mostly taken minority positions /nt

[SaveElmer]

5. What makes you think that Obama' supporter second choice is Edwards?

Or that Edward's supporters second choice is Obama...polling I have seen indicates Hillary is the top second choice!

[still_one]

9. That surprises me. Do you have a link indicating that Hillary would be

an Obama or Edwards second choice?

[plusfiftyfive]

10. Depends upon how you ask the question

Have the people polled been asked if they would support an Obama/Edwards Edwards/Obama ticket over Hillary and X? I don't think so!

[rinsd]

17. No but when the race has been narrowed down to Obama-Clinton

Her support grows in equal measure to Obama's.

Also Gallup has been including Gore in its Dem national heats but they also do 2nd choice if Gore was eliminated. Clinton does quite well there as well.

[bigdarryl]

14. I'm sick of these everyday stupid tracking polls

JESUS!!!!! why do you people keep posting these ASS poll numbers that mean shit at this time.

[ElizabethDC]

15. Because obviously there are some people who *are* interested in how the race is looking at this time

if you don't care, you don't have to click on the thread, much less reply to it.

[rinsd]

16. Because some of us are poll junkies.

You post incoherent rants about what you saw on TV most of the time sans links, so who the hell are you to complain?