Interesting results from a poll by Rasmussen Reports. The poll looked at “core” support and opposition for Presidential candidates — how many voters would “definitely” vote for or “definitely” vote against a given candidate.
Not surprisingly, Hillary Clinton has one of the highest “definitely vote against” figures — 47% of all voters say they would definitely vote against her. Mitt Romney has the same 47% “definitely vote against” figure. And Rudy Giuliani has among the lowest “net” core favorability (the difference between the percentage that would “definitely vote against” and the percentage that would “definitely vote for.”
The poll also sheds light on the issue of who might do best with moderate voters:
Results among voters not affiliated with either major party show that 48% would definitely vote against Clinton. That’s the highest level of core opposition among unaffiliated voters encountered by any of the candidates in the survey. Giuliani is close—44% of unaffiliated voters would definitely vote against him.
McCain has the lowest level of core opposition among unaffiliated voters–just 26% are committed to voting against McCain.
On a net basis, McCain (-6) and Obama (-11) have the best numbers among unaffiliated voters. Clinton (-26) and Romney (-20) have the weakest showing among this group.
As the primaries play out, we’ll see how much this “electability” issue plays into the choices made by voters. Will the two parties pony up the most disliked candidates (Clinton and Giuliani or Romney) or will they take a more rational path?
Categories: Politics