CBS Poll: Dean Pulls Away In Dem Race

FloydGondolli · Dec 17, 2003

Poll: Dean Pulls Away In Dem Race
NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2003

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean has pulled away from the field in the Democratic Presidential nomination race: his support among Democratic primary voters nationwide has risen in the past month, and held steady after the news of Saddam Hussein's capture. But the race remains open: more than half of Democratic voters still have no opinion of Dean, most have not made up their minds for sure, and large numbers remain undecided.

Dean has been a vociferous critic of the Iraq war. Most voters believe, as Dean does, that the U.S. is no safer from terror in the wake of the arrest of Saddam Hussein. And while Dean’s rise may have been helped along by former Vice-President Al Gore’s recent endorsement, most primary voters say Gore’s nod makes no difference to them.

Dean has the backing of 23 percent of likely primary voters, the same as he did in the days just prior to Saddam's capture, and up from 14 percent in November. His nearest rivals today are Wesley Clark and Joe Lieberman, both at 10 percent.

CHOICE FOR DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE
(Democratic primary voters)
12/16-17
Howard Dean
23%
Wesley Clark
10%
Joe Lieberman
10%
Richard Gephardt
6%
Al Sharpton
5%
John Kerry
4%
John Edwards
2%
Carol Moseley-Braun
1%
Dennis Kucinich
1%
Don’t Know
28%

SHARPTON AHEAD OF KERRY AND EDWARDS. THOSE TWO SHOULD KILL THEMSELVES!!!

"Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man." - The Dude, 1998

xpanda · Dec 17, 2003

Question: who gets to vote in these 'primaries'? In Canada, when voting in a new political party leader, only those who are paid members of that party get to elect the new leader. How does this work in the States?

FloydGondolli · Dec 17, 2003

It varies state by state.

In most states only registered members of the party in question can vote in a primary but in a few states the primaries are open to all.

Paid members? You guys have to pay to be in a party?? Here in New York, when you register to vote you are asked if you would like to be registered as a member of a party or as an independent. You never have to pay to register though.

"Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man." - The Dude, 1998

D2bets · Dec 17, 2003

Kerry and Edwards really need to just drop out. It's a 4-man race, tops: Dean, Clark, Gephardt, Lieberman.

But there are so many undecideds and so much room to be gained on a candidate this is simply vulnerable because you just know he will insert foot into mouth. I just don't understand the fascination with Dean. And yeah, it's not national polls that decide, it's state-by-state and he could struggle in the South which plays a big role on Feb. 3 and 10.

D2bets · Dec 17, 2003

For a little perspective, here's a Dem candidiate poll from December 1991:

Mario Cuomo 33%
Jerry Brown 15%
Douglas Wilder 9%
Bob Kerrey 8%
Tom Harkin 7%
Bill Clinton 6%
Paul Tsongas 4%
Undecided/Others 18%

FloydGondolli · Dec 18, 2003

D2, the primary system was VERY different back in 1991. It is so front-loaded now that anyone not pulling at least 10% now have NO CHANCE.

But yes, Kerry and Edwards have FAILED and should move aside.

"Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man." - The Dude, 1998