Dems v. Repubs Head to Head in IOWA & N.M. John Edwards wins by largest margin...LINK

[Blackhatjack]

Polling of top 3 Democratic Candidates versus top 3 Republican Candidates consistently shows EDWARDS WINS BY LARGEST MARGIN.

Edwards also polls the lowest unfavorable numbers and Clinton the highest.

If we want to appeal to the largest number of voters in the General Election, Edwards is the leader according to the polls at this time.
***************************************

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/polltracker/

NM-Pres
Sep 24 SurveyUSA

Clinton (D) 51%, Giuliani (R) 43%
Clinton (D) 53%, Thompson (R) 42%
Clinton (D) 54%, Romney (R) 39%

Obama (D) 46%, Giuliani (R) 46%
Obama (D) 52%, Thompson (R) 41%
Obama (D) 55%, Romney (R) 36%

Edwards (D) 48%, Giuliani (R) 44%
Edwards (D) 52%, Thompson (R) 37%
Edwards (D) 54%, Romney (R) 34%

HRC v. GTR: 8, 9, 15 = 32
BO v. GTR: 0, 11, 19 = 30
JE v. GTR: 4, 15, 20 = 34

IA-Pres
Sept 23 SurveyUSA

HRC v. GTR 6, 7, 8 = 21
BO v. GTR 8, 10,10 = 28
JE v. GTR 14, 17, 16 = 47

[Blackhatjack]

1. These are the polling numbers backed up by polling data you do not hear mentioned by the MSM...

It is interesting that the Clinton poll numbers are expressed in terms of Democrats polled exclusively.

You also do not hear about the 'unfavorability' numbers of the Democratic candidates.

It is essential that we reach the independent/undecided and unaffiliated voters in order to win the General Election.

I think HRC's weaknesses need to be addressed before she is named the Democratic Nominee by unanimous agreement of the MSM.

[shraby]

2. For me, one of her negatives is the fact

that I've had enough of the Clinton/Bush presidencies. Besides that, I can see it all now if she gets the nomination. The first thing the gop (no caps there on purpose) will do is hit her with the Vince Foster, Whitewater, infidelities of Bill over and over and over. They'll swift-boat her down the tubes. They're really really good at that tactic and Hillary is very vulnerable. That's why they're pushing her for the nomination.

[Blackhatjack]

3. I have been thinking about how they might attack her using Bill Clinton ...

I think there will be a redux of Monicagate, Whitewater, and her 'weakness' in how she dealt with very public infidelities of Bill Clinton.

I do not think that Hillary's political positions will be challenged nearly as hard as the 'character' issues they will attempt to generate and the past 'GOP-induced scandal investigations of the Clintons.'

[DavidDvorkin]

4. The sound of crickets

from Edwards haters.

Or perhaps a torrent of abuse and personal attacks on Edwards.

I wonder which it will be.

[Blackhatjack]

5. It shows that 'perception' and 'reality' do not always occupy the same territory...

The polling data is what campaigns use to determine 'the message' they want to deliver, and how it should be packaged to reach the target voters.

It can be argued that polling data in and of itself is useless unless it somehow finds a way to reach the visibility of the voting public. That is where the art of 'persuasion' comes into play in running a political campaign. In some campaigns, the polling data totally contradicted the positions held by a particular candidate, and yet that candidate won by falsely creating a 'perception' that the voters reacted to.

Calling a bill the 'Clear Skies Act' which actually increases air pollution is a good example of creating a false perception that appeals to the public's position on an issue that contradicts the positions held by that candidate.

It is my hope that Democrats will do the work necessary to break through 'the crafted perceptions' of the candidates, and determine which candidates actually represent their beliefs and their interests.

Many times voters searching for a candidate to support are more critical in their examination of the candidates and their positions than those who have already made a choice, and in this present environment that MAY explain why Edwards is polling much better with independent/undecided and unaffiliated voters than the other Democratic candidates.