Poll Says Ralph Nader Draws Support From Democratic Voters

In a recent Zogby Research poll Republican presidential candidate John McCain beat both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton as the candidate respondents would most likely vote for, in a nationwide phone survey. And to top it off, Ralph Nader took five percent of the Democratic vote.

Approximately 1,001 randomly selected nationwide voters (a statistically significant survey base) responded to Zogby Research's phone survey conducted over the March 13-14 weekend. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points. In a head-to-head matchup, the survey indicates McCain defeats Clinton by six points and Obama by five points.

Zogby Research President John Zogby commented, "The messages to Democrats are clear - number one, Nader may win enough support to get into the general election debates. Number two, what could be at risk is support among several key constituencies that the Democratic Party candidate will need to win in November, notably younger voters, independents, and progressives."

The first scenario discussed the scenario of McCain as the GOP nominee and Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee. In the McCain versus Obama matchup, here is how they tallied:
44% of the respondents said they would vote for John McCain. 39% said they would vote for Barack Obama. 5% said they would vote for Ralph Nader. 11% said not sure/someone else.

Next came the McCain versus Clinton scenario.:
45% of the respondents said they would vote for John McCain. 39% said they would vote for Hillary Clinton. 6% said they would vote for Ralph Nader. 11% said not sure/someone else.

According to Mr. Zogby, in the McCain-Clinton matchup, McCain leads mainly because of a significant advantage among independents. Among those voters, he wins support from 45%, compared to 28% for Clinton and 15% for Nader. McCain wins 79% support from Republicans, while Clinton wins 75% support from Democrats. Among men, McCain leads 51% to 33% for Clinton. Among women, Clinton leads, 45% to 40% for McCain.

In the McCain-Obama matchup, Obama wins among voters under age 30, while McCain leads among all voters age 30 and older. Among men, McCain leads Obama 48% to 34%, while Obama holds a slim 43% to 41% edge over McCain among women, the survey shows.

You can read the Zogby survey results HERE.

Comments

[WorkingClass]

I'm happy and not surprised to see so many potential Nader voters. Credit Nancy Pelosi. It is obvious since the mid-terms that the Democrats are a party of quislings. Progressives are being driven out of the party and then roundly cursed and condemned for leaving.

[lovethesinner]

I hope Ralph gets some good Secret Service protection. He's gonna need it if Democrats think he's gonna do it again.

[LizM]

I don't need to read any survey results to know that the Democrats lost their ONLY chance to put America back on track around about the time the last caucus wrapped up in Iowa...if you know what I mean, and I'm sure that you do!

[PublicAdvisor]

When the Democratic National Committee limits voters choice by excluding their own Democratic presidential nominees such as Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich, its no wonder that voters feel slapped in the face and turn to other candidates and parties. Does this really surprise anyone? Mike Gravel just left to join the Libertarian Party. http://www.Gravel.us

When the Democratic National Committee says that no revoting will occur in either Florida or Michigan, many voters feel slapped around again. Wouldn't you? I certainly would.

When the Democratic Congress is elected for change and wins a majority yet fails to bring articles of Impeachment to the table, keeps funding the Iraq occupation, and scarcely objects to either torture, telecom immunity, or the anti-Constitutional Patriot Act, can you blame people for wanting another candidate or party? Why should people vote again for Democrats when the congress gives a free pass to the Republican Party's agenda?

Why abuse your own constituency-both voters or nomimees? That's a sure path to losing.
What's the appeal of Ralph Nader? He has been America's public advocate for the welfare of our nation. Something Democrats use to do and win elections because of it. Why can't they stand up for the little guy again? If the Democrats want to win in November, they should look at Nader's website and take up the issues he's talking about and make them up for their own.
http://VoteNader.org

[cleocat]

Plus a poll yesterday showed 37% of Clinton supporters would not vote for Obama compared with 26% of Obama supporters not voting for Clinton.
Totally blowing apart earlier theories that Clinton supporters would be fine with either candidate.

Not True!!

Superdelegates take note...we will not vote for Obama.

[bodi1313]

I couldn't agree more. After month of vicious attacks on Hillary by the" peace and love people' and the 'uniters', you expect that Hillary's supporters will say "Oh no problem, we will love Obama now". I am one of thhe 37% that will not vote for Obama. If McCain wins, fine by me.
I owe the Democratic party nothing.

[Highwind]

But you're also forgetting the fact that Clinton will lose AA and young voters if she gets the nom unfairly. And you're forgetting that if she gets the nom, she will lose those 26% or more of Obama voters. You can't win the nom if you don't have the AA vote!

[cleocat]

Obviously those of us that did not drink the kool aid will not vote for Nobama in the general election if he is the nominee....so we have to vote for Nader or nobody.

[Highwind]

But you ARE drinking the kool-aid. Clinton is down in the pledged delegates, popular vote and states won. The DNC officials don't like her and are doing everything they can to end this.