Even if there’s little evidence for rumors that Hillary Clinton is positioning herself to be Barack Obama’s running mate, this week’s newest poll suggests voters have somewhat latched on to the idea.
According to a May 30-June 3 CBS News poll (PDF), 59 percent of Democratic primary voters want Clinton as Obama’s running mate. That sentiment was similarly echoed in a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll conducted on Thursday, in which 54 percent of registered Democrats also supported the so-called “dream ticket.”
Presumably, those numbers possess increased significance in an election fraught with discussion about defection rates. According to the CBS poll, 22 percent of Clinton supporters say they prefer John McCain to Barack Obama. Additionally, 7 percent claim they’re undecided, and 8 percent say they won’t vote at all.
CBS reports that 12 percent of all Democrats currently support McCain, an increase from the 8 percent that deserted John Kerry for George Bush in 2004. Just more than half of Democratic voters—54 percent—reported feeling that the prolonged primary fight has hurt the party’s chances in November, regardless of whom Obama actually taps as his running mate.
I’m not going to piss anymore people off with stating why I’m pro-joint ticket (mainly because it’s a guranteed win in November, but also because it’s the will of the people, Hilllary’s experience is a net plus for Obama and a way to help him to avoid Bill’s Clinton’s first term missteps, the VP would neutralize Hill from becoming a Senate foe to O’s prez legislature etc). If these numbers don’t change in the coming months, Obama may have little choice but to ask Hillary to jump on board. 22% of Hillary’s 18 million voters is about 4 million people. Bush beat Kerry by about 3 million votes in 2004. Or, Obama needs those votes.
Obamaniacs warmed to Hillary this weekend. (Is saying “I like O” and women rule really all it took?) Let’s watch the polls to see if Obama can convert Hill’s women and white trash–I mean blue collar–honks on his 17-stop working class tour this week.
TAGS: Barack Obama, election, George Bush, Hillary, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, joint ticket, mccain, obama, polls, war
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June 10th, 2008 at 8:10 am
I too am a Hillary supporter. The way for Obama to get my vote? The only way — put her on the ticket.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Not voting for Democrat is appeasment!
June 10th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
It kills me when Democrats say that the only way they’ll vote for Obama is if he puts Hillary on the ticket. That just makes no sense to me. Why?! Are they going to vote for McCain, not vote at all, or write in Hillary? If they’re voting for McCain, then what exactly do they think McCain has in common with Hillary on health care, future Iraq policy (yes, yes, I know they both voted to authorize it), or the economy? Hillary’s policies are far closer to Obama’s than McCain’s, as she herself has said many times. People, I understand you’re upset, but please re-think this position before November.