A Very Fluid Republican Race

Posted: Sunday, December 09, 2007 8:53 AM by Chuck Todd

From NBC's Chuck Todd, Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro
The new set of MSNBC/McClatchy/Mason-Dixon polls indicate that it's now a mistake to call only Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney the two frontrunners. With Mike Huckabee in the lead in two of the GOP's big three states (Iowa and South Carolina), it's getting harder to leave his name out of the frontrunner mix.

Huckabee's momentum is no longer an Iowa story, his personal ratings and poll standings have popped in all of the key early states. Here's a quick rundown:

Iowa: just three candidates registered double-digits. Huckabee nabbed 32%, Romney followed with 20% and Thompson was third with 11%. McCain was in fourth with 7% and Giuliani nabbed just 5%, his worse showing in any Iowa poll this year.

New Hampshire: Romney's once insurmountable lead appears, well, surmountable. He leads the field with 25%, followed by Giuliani at 17%, McCain gets 16% and Huckabee edges into double-digits with 11%. Nearly one in six voters are undecided.

South Carolina: The former Arkansas governor leads a very competitive primary with 20%, followed very closely by Giuliani at 17%, Romney at 15%, Thompson at 14% and McCain at 10%. Nearly one in five S.C. Republicans are undecided, highlighting the fluidity of the race.

One more macro thought: There might be a Ron Paul Revolution, but it is not occurring among GOP voters. He has a net-neg fav/unfav in all three states. The good news for Paul, his name I.D. is rising very fast, the bad news, he may not have a lot of room to grow beyond the committed group of supporters he already has. If he does want to see his support grow, he may need to reintroduce himself to some of these Republicans who view him so unfavorably.

Let's get into the weeds of these GOP state polls, all of which were conducted Dec. 3-6. Each survey is of 400 likely caucus or primary voters with a margin of error of 5%.

IOWA
This poll gives the clearest picture out of any other Iowa poll we've seen of where Huckabee's support is coming from. He gets support from 32% of likely caucus-goers, but gets 42% of the born-again vote and 38% of those who attend church weekly. And perhaps the clearest place that shows Huckabee's advantage is on the issue of abortion. Seven in 10 Iowans believe it should be prohibited or restricted, and he leads by more than 20 points in that category.

Huckabee's lead is across the board. He even leads all the candidates – 36-20 over Thompson – as being the candidate with the best chance to win in November. Incredibly, Huckabee is even seen as the best on national security and terrorism and immigration as well as moral and family issues – the top three issues to Iowa voters. Romney's only advantage on the issues is on taxes.

Of the front-runners, Giuliani is not that well liked in Iowa; he has the lowest favorability of the top-tier candidates and the highest unfavorable of all the candidates except Ron Paul.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Independents' support stands out here. McCain does not lead among them. In fact, he's essentially tied with Rudy and trails Romney by double digits. Notably, Romney leads by a wider margin among indies than he does among Republicans.
Rudy is second here, but his opening could be that strength and leadership is what NH voters are looking for in a candidate. Rudy leads that category, albeit only slightly, over Romney. Romney, on the other hand, has more solid numbers in experience and values. Rudy lags far behind in values.

New Hampshire is a different story on the issues for Huckabee. He lags on the three top categories – national security/terrorism, immigration and taxes/government spending.

Finally, it appears Romney's message on immigration is resonating, where seven in 10 believe the government should take a hard line, which is far more than in Iowa. Romney leads that category by 10 points.

SOUTH CAROLINA
Giuliani may not line up with S.C. voters' values, but he's seen as the strongest leader, which is very important issue in the state – within margin of error for top issue (along with values, which Huckabee leads).

Interestingly, and possibly highlighting how unknown Huckabee really is with GOP voters, the former Arkansas governor is seen as being the most hard line on immigration here and in Iowa. Could some of his support erode once more voters learn the specifics of his immigration stance?

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Comments

You obviously know little about Ron Paul's following. Or are again deliberately being deceitful. Either way, when history is written, know now that you, Chuck Todd, will be listed among the fools. You know, along with those who railed against Lincoln, told Columbus the world is flat etc.

Marta (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 9:36 AM)

It's true. The Neocons dislike Ron Paul more than the Democrats do.
Ron Paul is the only candidate who's supporters haven't wavered though.
I wish people were less loyal to a Party and more loyal to their Country.

Ra , The Florida Keys (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 9:39 AM)

In four more years, everyone is going to take their head out of the sand and relize that my man McCain who has busted his butt with honor and dignity in the service of his country was the one we should have listend to. We have lowered our political expectations to a height where crooks, bandits and thives run for office and win. What in the H** are we thinking?

Ralph Grimaldi Mexico Bch, Fl. (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 9:47 AM)

Highly creative and talented people are getting involved in Dr. Ron Paul's campaign. Much of it is independent of his official campaign structure. The Ron Paul blimp is just one aspect. Someone thought of the idea, made the website ronpaulblimp.com, and people started contributing. There is a site with large numbers of sophisticated graphs about Ron Paul's campaign: ronpaulgraphs.com. Major chat sites at ronpaulforum.com, ronpaulnation.com, dailypaul.com, many more. You tube videos are another aspect - many of which look almost professionally created, for example 'Ron Paul Second Fox GOP Debate - Going the Distance!':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDtLv3I_UaY
Then there's the money bomb days, the next being TeaParty07.com, which will be December 16th, the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Another group is sponsoring canvassing for Ron Paul that is occurring in New Hampshire: http://www.fiveforfreedom.com/. Huge spontaneous rallies for Dr Paul occur about the country. Additional Ron Paul rallies are done when other candidates come to town. And the official campaign structure doesn't try to interfere with anything. That $4.3 million was raised completely independent of Dr Paul's staffers. The other candidates have nothing like this. It is because Dr Paul is genuine, not a flip flopper, who has integrity and cares about the Constitution and the American people. That is the nature of this campaign: Freedom! Independence! Liberty! RonPaul2008!

Ward Ciac (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 9:52 AM)

It's true that Ron Paul has some pretty bad favorability ratings, and that's not surprising since he's been chastised sicne day one by the conservative pundits especially on talk radio.

But if you plot his favorability ratings from the national level on a graph, you can see that he's gone from 2-1 negative ratio down to 1.35-1 ratio. Bottom line, he's slowing winning this battle. The question is can he win it fast enough.

Brad, Chicago, IL (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 9:59 AM)

In your polls for Iowa and SC you give the top 5 candidates. However, for NH, you give only the top 4 candidates. Could this be because Ron Paul is that 5th candidate? On the Sunday morning (12-9-07)show you placed Fred Thompson at #5 in NH at 6%, however in all the major polls including Zogby, Ron Paul has almost a 2 to 1 lead over Fred Thompson. Why is this? Is it intentional?

Scott Kennedy, New Kent Virginia (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 10:02 AM)

I'm not seeing what you're reporting. I see more citizen action for Ron Paul than any candidate, so I don't understand the polls. I went to a convention in Reno. There were 16 Ron Paul billboards and Ron Paul yard signs and bumper stickers everywhere. On the trip I saw Ron Paul signs. I rarely see any other candidates campaign signs, more often Obama and Kucinich. Other than that, I have not seen one bumper sticker or a billboard for Hillary, Romney, Huckabee...So I'm not getting it. I'm reading what you are saying about the polls, but my real life experience is not matching what you are saying.

Jeanette Doney, Fort Bragg, CA (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 10:22 AM)

How about some transparency in these polling data? For instance, what questions were asked, how was the polling conducted? What is the demographic break down of the people who were called? What criteria was used to determine if they are likely to vote?

To call this news and not report on all the facts that have led to these conclusions is sort of irresponsible.

John in FL (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 10:25 AM)

I know this seems to be strange, but do you have the polling information available. I've noticed that sometimes the reports of the polls don't match the entire polling data (i.e. Ron Paul is often excluded).

Shane Vincent (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 10:36 AM)

i think we're all tired of personal bias entering reporting. it doesn't matter if you think ron paul has a shot, tell us what he's polling at. report the damn news already. stop letting your opinions get in the way. i've only taken one journalism class and the bias in reporting these days, and in this article, so more than blatant.

Josh, Cairo, Egypt (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 10:37 AM)

"There might be a Ron Paul Revolution, but it is not occurring among GOP voters."

I think you are in for a surprise. Many Republicans who left the party in disgust in 1988-2000 are returning to vote for Dr. Paul. The GOP voters they are polling are the party of 2004. Like for Reagan's and Ventura's campaigns, many people who didn't vote in 2004 are registering Republican to vote for Dr. Paul. I don't know if this is typical, but I attended a local GOP straw poll - all of the 79 votes were for Dr. Paul. The moderator asked who in the audience was new to the party since the last election and about half raised their hands - and that is in a heavily Republican district in Kansas!

J. W. , Overland Park, KS (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 10:42 AM)

Dr. Ron Paul is certainly the most conservative Republican you'll find in THIS lot of candidates. Back before Republican got made into a bad word, a conservative was just that - conservative in the use of federal power. A TRUE conservative believes federal powers should be LIMITED to those enumerated in the Constitution. ANY OTHER POWER should be delegated to the states. That was the original design of our nation. Maybe you're wondering why? Another thing that is implicit in the Constitution is the ability of each and every citizen to move to whichever state they want AT ANY TIME WITH NO INTERFERENCE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. And why would they do that? SO GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT BE A MONOPOLY. You can freely choose the government that works best for you. You can freely move to another state that has like minded people so you can enjoy a government that spends as much or as little as is consistent with your views of what a state should offer. Getting the federal government off your back is the first step to getting state and local governments that are truly responsive to your needs, instead of jackbooted bullies that push you around and confiscate your wealth to give to others.

Louis Nardozi, Chesapeake VA (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 10:42 AM)

You left out Michigan. Rasmussen now shows Huckabee leading in Michigan too, which is all the more astounding.

Gary Glenn, Midland, MI (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 10:44 AM)

So if Ron Paul wins so many Straw Polls and comes in quite often in the 2nd and 3rd in the polls, and has raised all this money, how can these polls be accurate? What gives here? I know in my town in Central California we have a lot Ron Paul supporters.

Tess, California (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 10:57 AM)

Well done. Much more balanced than the other trash posted in the past few days.

Citizen, Camas, WA (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:01 AM)

Your article states the following:

"Huckabee nabbed 32%, Romney followed with 20% and Thompson was third with 11%. McCain was in fourth with 7% and Giuliani nabbed just 5%,"

I wonder why you do not mention that Ron Paul registered 8 % in this poll??????????????

You could have said, Now we see Ron Paul having more support than the media darlings of McCain and Giuliani

Isn't it downright shameful and dishonest reporting now to put Paul in the rankings -rather than just leave him out?

frank h. charleston , sc (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:01 AM)

Where is the results of this poll rather than just eh analysis? I can't believe that Ron Paul got no support?

scott edwards, Peterborugh, NH (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:08 AM)

"There might be a Ron Paul Revolution, but it is not occurring among GOP voters."

Wrong! How many independents, libertarians, newcomers, and cross-over Democrats have registered Republican to vote for Paul? Plus you have the conservatives who left the GOP after the 2006 mid-term losses coming back to support Paul. These polls are flawed because they are polling the same small sample of registered Republicans who voted for Bush in 2004, and that sample is going to be split among Thompson, Romney, Huckabee, Giuliani, etc. leaving Paul will all the groups I mentioned earlier and a good portion of registered Republicans.

Ron Paul is truly the only candidate who can win the general election because there won't be libertarians and constitutionalists splitting off to vote 3rd party, independents will support him, the newcomers to politics, and even Democrats who hate Hillary. You can't say that about the other Republican candidates.

Brian, Green Bay, WI (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:11 AM)

Most hardline on immigrations? WTH??

Well why don't you report the facts then!! That's what true journalist is supposed to do aren't they? Let the people know that he used taxpayer dollars in Arkansas to pay for the education of illegal immigrants! This man is pro amnesty he's not "tough" on illegals! Tell the TRUTH for once in your life!

Rich, Charleston, WV (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:22 AM)

Rich, Charleston, WV (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:26 AM)

Huckabee should be running as a democrat. He will raise taxes and open the door to free education for everyone but Americans.

Mark, Rancho Mirage CA (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:32 AM)

Well, it certainly is an interesting race. Huckabee's rise in the polls so fast shows that the "front runner" moniker is only so much perception. McCain and Thompson are way behind Huck and have no forward movement in key states and nationally. However, Huck will find it much more difficult in California, New York and large delegate states as they don't have the religious buttons as the early key states save New Hampshire.
Paul is on the rise and his negative rating has actually gone down which suggests that he is gaining traction in the, lets call it for argument sake, "hard core" Republican base. He is against the war which is the big dividing point. However lets not forget that those neg/approval polls are only with previously voting Republicans. They don't include ones who didn't vote (alot), young newly minted Republicans (alot), cross-over democrats (a few), crossover Libertarians (quite a few).
Paul won't politicize his message to try to win over some of the Republican base. That will go one way or the other for him. There are, however, many experts suggesting a mix-up in the race with Paul's x factor. Anywhere from gaining appeal as the economy continues to suffer, to the fact his ardent followers will actually show up when it is cold or near a holiday or other public event.
Lets also not forget that there is also a HUGE percentage of undecided Republicans in all states. This is more of a reflection on the front runners than anything. People have had time with these guys garnering a lion's share of the coverage yet they aren't picking them. That combined with Huck and Paul's momentum in the campaign will probably help these two pick up most of those voters as well. I am sorry but Guiliani, Mitt and McCain's days are looking numbered. Fred, well he doesn't looked too excited at actually becoming the President of the United States.

Brian Godley (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:49 AM)

The thing with Paul is that even with twenty-something/thirty-something favorables, if he can get most of those voters in his column in a multi-candidate field, he's in great shape; after all, if these Republicans approve of Paul against the will of many in their party, they might be especially likely to vote for him, perhaps moreso than can be normally extrapolated from a favorability rating.

However, the big thing that could really send Paul zooming out the gate in this primary is not Republicans, but independent conservatives and disaffected independent voters, both of whom can participate in the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary; notice that the pro-war independents in NH in this poll are split between three candidates, but the anti-war independents who may like participate in a GOP primary will only have one option. If independents aid Paul to strong early showings, he would have a natural appeal in western states like Nevada, and in a one-on-one match up with Huckabee could well be favored to win big states like California, New York, and Texas.

From what I've observed, this is the electoral theory behind Paul's longshot candidacy, and I wouldn't count it out.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:01 PM)

Mike Huckabee said the magic words: "Christian Leader" that is what the evangelicals have been waiting for. He is main stream in his beliefs and that seems to be all it takes to get elected. We have the born again christians to thank for our current president and it looks like they may do it again! Mike Huckebee has proven his ability to be a good moral,spiritual leader. On the other hand he has shown himself to be in over his head when it comes to the issues that we face as a nation. I suggest to him and his followers that they stick to religion and stay out of politics.

Sherry Wilks, Hobbs, NM (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:22 PM)

Thats what we need is ANOTHER supposedly Christian Leader.. ummmmmm I believe we have had one for 8 YEARS people and still NOTHING has CHANGED infact it has only gotten worse.. I even voted for BUsh because I "thought" He was our hope because of him being supposedly Christian and I never researched him. Face it most Christians have become LAZY and will not research a candidate to save their lifes but they will listen to the Pat RObertsons and the BOb Jones and trust them.. Its CRAZY.. we need to WAKE UP and get informed .. God says to put NO trust IN FLESH!!!! Lets all look into the candidates and look at their past and present and find who is the best for this country and what I have found is RON PAUL! PERIOD! Im so serious.. yeah i could run to Huckabee cuz he is saying faith this faith that but Ive looked into his past and it is all a front to stoop us Christians AGAIN because we have been ignorant in politics.. NO MORE FOR ME I SAY! Please get informed... GOD SAVE AMERCIA!
~Liberty
ROn Paul 2008

Liberty Julian NC (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:37 PM)

How is it that most, as in more than half, of the people I know and have associated with in recent months - a number over 1000 and spanning three states - are adamant supporters of Paul, he's totally kicking everyone else's arses in the Straw Polls, and much else that shows he has immense voter support, yet these clowns keep claiming he's a ghost? Are we all in some sort of magical quarantine? Do they know something I don't, like how the next election is going to be rigged?

This country needs to wake the heck up. The writing is on the wall, and history portrays the picture of what is wrong in such detail as it repeats itself due to the ignorance and malleability of the masses.

We are witnessing the end of America. Neither Clinton nor Giuliani represent anything other than the completion of our corporatized fascist shift, and the mainstream media has been insisting that they will be the ones who run. Do not let these corporate bottlenecks determine the fate of our country. This election is our moment of truth. Find a way to ensure independent, honest, and ethical exit polls because, mark my words, the next election will have nothing to do with the votes that are cast if those votes do not allign with the current status-quo, assuming I'm not underestimating the severity of the situation and we actually do hold the elections.

Jonathan Davis, Iowa (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:41 PM)

I am officially out of touch with the Republican party. When I look at the candidates running on both the Republican and Democratic sides, I see one candidate who stands head and shoulders above the others in terms of experience, leadership, and personal character: John McCain.

McCain has been right about the war in Iraq at every stage of the debate.

He's been right about pork-barrel spending, criticizing the Bush administration at a time when most "conservatives" were lining up to the trough.

He's right on the issue of life.

He understands the threat posed by Islamic terrorists.

He's an authentic American hero WITH ACTUAL MILITARY EXPERIENCE, unlike either of our last two baby-boomer presidents.

And, most importantly, he can beat Hillary Clinton.

Instead of getting behind a hero, the Republican party has decided to nominate either a socially liberal, personally irresponsible big city mayor or a big government, "compassionate conservative" with no foreign policy experience whatsoever.

I guess I'll vote for whomever the Republicans nominate, but I've got a strong feeling I'm going to be waking up to Hillary & Slick Willy come next November. I'll be sure to thank my supposedly "conservative" friends when that day comes.

Doug, Grand Rapids, MI (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:51 PM)

It does not matter who the candidate is or what party they represent, they should all respect the constitution and leave religion in the church. Our Founding Fathers worked very hard to give us the blue print for Democracy. It is shocking to me to see how carelessly some people approach the constitution. It is so vital that we protect and preserve it. I ask all Americans to give a bit more thought to what it means to cast your vote. Be serious about it. Don't treat it as a contest or a joke.

Sherry Wilks, Hobbs, NM (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:54 PM)

Somebody in the media should find out if a substantial number of these Ron Paul supporters on-line are paid. He does have a lot of money, and it seems the Internet is completely blanketed with comments from this pro-Iranian candidate. (He is against all sanctions against Iran, even more friendly to the Iranians than their friends, russia and China.)

James smith (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:59 PM)

James smith Charlotte, NC (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 1:01 PM)

Ron Paul is Crazy, he actually thinks we have 700 military bases in over 130 different countries. He also said we spend over $1 trillion per year to maintain these bases. Well that can't be true because if we did that and paid for Social Security, Medicare, and the Prescription Drug Program America would be bankrupt by now.

Rand Thinker (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 1:24 PM)

Dear James Smith-

Inspired...not hired.

Becky Blauvelt

Becky Blauvelt, Woodland Hills CA (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 1:25 PM)

Let me help out my Ron Paul friends with a little history. In 1964, Barry Goldwater ran as a hard nose conservative. He won the nomination and was love by the party faithful. There were the "Goldwater girls" and a lot of pump for him.

About signs. Goldwater had 10 people with bumper stickers on their car for every 1 that LBJ had. LBJ won in a butt kicking. That just goes to show you that it aint the most vocal and excited group that wins in an election.

The reason people don't talk about Paul is that he has no chance of winning. He can take someone out (12 million is good for that), but scientific polling shows he has no chance. The reason to note Rudy's number in Iowa and not Paul's is that Rudy's number matters as he right now if the national primary leader.

Nic Shayko, Springfield, VA (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 1:49 PM)

Don't expect to see Ron Paul in any poll associated with McClatchy Newspapers. McClatchy is as biased as Fox News.

althusius, Dallas (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 2:11 PM)

Ok first off I'm an independent, second I'm probebily going to vote for Obama, he talks beyond party lines more then anyone else. But I will say I agree Ron Paul should be included, I like Ron Paul but just don't think he will make it, he's to extreme. But if it came down to Hillary versus anyone, alot of anyones would have a chance at my vote, or I will stay home that night. I will have to research Huckabee more but I think he is just too religious for me. The rest seem to want to be Bush Jr. Jr.'s. And I think America is in trouble and needs some major changes, not just from Bush to someone else (either party) but someone that will go beyond party lines and get us heading down the right path. A path we haven't been on in alot of years (not just 8). We the people of the "United" States can do anything, but to me all the Republicain choices seem to want to keep this divide. My Question is can anyone bring us closer together as a nation? If so Who?

Jeff , Rathdrum, Idaho (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 2:12 PM)

Hey James, we aren't paid. I just spent 100 bucks on coroplast & sign material and I just had a sign making party to make signs. Today I stood in church parking lots to pass out information. I wish I got paid, but no this is a gift. My heart cannot stop until he is our President. I think I represent what all Ron Paul supporters feel: We will not go quietly into the dust. Too much at stake.

Theresa, Sound Beach NY (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 2:14 PM)

PS James. Are you even aware of the information in the news yesterday? Iran is not making bombs and is not pursuing them. So what's the excuse now? They look funny and wear turbines?

Theresa, Sound Beach NY (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 2:18 PM)

James Smith says:

"Somebody in the media should find out if a substantial number of these Ron Paul supporters on-line are paid. He does have a lot of money, and it seems the Internet is completely blanketed with comments from this pro-Iranian candidate. (He is against all sanctions against Iran, even more friendly to the Iranians than their friends, russia and China.)"

You are wrong on everything you just wrote except the fact that he has lots of money.

1. We support Dr. Paul because he follows the Constitution and the ideas of the founders of America.

2. He is brilliant. Not only is he a doctor, he spent 5 years in the Air Force, and 30+ years studying economics.

3. Ron Paul is ONLY pro-America! If congress declared war on Iran, President Paul would attack and win. He would not invade a sovereign country who poses no threat to our national security though.

4. Stop the madness of thought that we have to change every country into a democracy. It is none of our business. We are going bankrupt fighting wars that do nothing more than weaken our national security.

Darren Donahue, Maple Valley, WA (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 2:30 PM)

TO James... NO one is getting paid.. we are all volunteers who want Ron Paul to actually win.. He is americas hope.. So look him up ROnpaul2008.com and join the R3vo_lution.... Do yourself a favor and get informed about Dr Paul.
Ron Paul is for the people and is the CHampion of the COnstitution!

Liberty Julian NC (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 2:38 PM)

To Rand...
We are heading that way dude... Look into it closer and get yourself informed and you will see he is right. He is the only one up there that is telling the truth about our country right now. He is very brave!

Liberty Julian NC (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 2:41 PM)

James smith - you've got to be kidding! The reason why the blogs are full of Ron Paul supporters is because we outnumber all the other GOP candidates supporters. Plain and simple. Yet the polling companies don't call them for the most part or even try to exclude him. This why he wins all the debate polls and almost all the GOP straw polls. See thecaseforronpaul.com for details of why the telephone polls are way way off on this.

Brian Horsfield (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 2:41 PM)

The writers of this blog have been marketing this race more than reporting it since the beginning. Shame on you.

Rhys, Ann Arbor, MI (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 3:58 PM)

the msm never lets me down i can count on them to dress up a bum like huckabee in order to push ron paul to side. huckabee is nepotist in the most purest form. the gop is a train reck and ron paul is the only one that could put it back on a moral track and exspand the party in the process.

keith (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 4:50 PM)

Sorry to be rude, but you media hacks are just revealing yourselves to be the liars you are. Do you think those of us who see it will ever go back to trusting you again? You guys are dinosaurs, and you don't even know it yet. On second thought, since the future of our fair elections is at stake I think the rudeness is called for.

David H, Lexington (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 5:32 PM)

Polls are meaningless... stop reporting them.
Ron Paul will get at LEAST 3rd in Iowa and will steam roll New Hampshire.

See this analysis on why Iowa is going for Paul:
http://www.insideradvantagegeorgia.com/restricted/2007/December%202007/12-6-07/Towery12619632.php

It is a lot more interesting and informative than the way Mr. Dodd salivates over every new, meaningless poll that comes across his desk.

Are you really that much of a hack Mr. Dodd? Can you do any real reporting instead of looking at every poll and deducing an outcome? It hasn't worked in the past, it especially won't work in this election. Its contributing to the degradation of our democratic processes. Analyze issues, and let people make up their minds. Unfortunately, many Americans are too busy and/or stupid to understand the distinction.

Steve Mellien, Des Moines, Iowa (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 6:15 PM)

I don't believe any of this speculative polling B.S. This Republican is voting Ron Paul.

Warren Silverwood, Dundee, MI (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 6:15 PM)

Anyone interested in what Huckabee is really like face to face should
try
this funny (but it actually happened) column:
http://goupstate.us/index.php/lanefiller/2007/11/02/title_14

lane filler, spartanburg, sc (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 8:17 PM)

I liked Ron Paul when he was a Congressman from Texas in the late 1970s. He practically blames America for 9/11, which is strident anti-Americanism a la Daily Kos and MoveOn.org. And his supporters seem a bit fanatical too.

Richard Leonardon, Vienna, VA (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 8:27 PM)

I think it's pretty obvious that Ron Paul's supporters are heavily internet users, as seems pretty plain in any story with comments like this. However, that hardly means it translates into the broader voting populace. Basically the same thing that occurred with Howard Dean in 2004.

William (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 8:48 PM)

Romney will restore absolute social order to our great empire! The State will rule with power and authority. President Romney will lead us to global victory!

Joseph S. (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 9:14 PM)

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