Jon Wiener

Jon Wiener

Posted: February 18, 2008 02:01 PM

Latest Poll: McCain Beats Clinton, Obama Beats McCain

digg Share this on Facebook Huffpost - stumble reddit del.ico.us RSS

The latest national tracking poll - released today, President's Day - shows John McCain beating Hillary Clinton, 49%-42%. The Rasmussen Reports poll also shows Barack Obama beating McCain 46% to 43%.

Clinton has slipped over the last week - on Feb. 11, Rasmussen had McCain ahead of Clinton 45%-43%, which was within the margin of error.

The new poll also found Obama with the highest "favorable" ratings among likely voters. Obama is viewed favorably by 54%; McCain by 51%, and Clinton by only 45%.

The biggest effect of poll numbers like these is probably on the Democrats' superdelegates. Elected officials and members of the party establishment, they tend to be cautious and careful, eager to avoid alienating likely winners, and focused more on winning elections than on policy or personality differences between the candidates. "The Democrats created superdelegates after the 1980 campaign to help ensure their nominee was mainstream and electable," CBS news explained on Saturday. "Electability" provides a firm basis for superdelgates to choose Obama -- if poll results like this hold up.

Of course polls measure voter sentiment today. The purpose of campaigns is to win more voters by November, and some campaigns succeed. Clinton's still could.

Rasmussen also reported that, on President's Day, both Lincoln and Washington have higher favorability ratings than any current candidate: Lincoln is viewed favorably by 84% of American adults, Washington by 79%.

The Rassmussen daily tracking poll is conducted with nightly telephone surveys and averaged over the previous four days. The sample consists of 1,600 likely voters, and the margin of error is 3 percentage points.

The latest national tracking poll - released today, President's Day - shows John McCain beating Hillary Clinton, 49%-42%. The Rasmussen Reports poll also shows Barack Obama beating McCain 46% to 43%.
The latest national tracking poll - released today, President's Day - shows John McCain beating Hillary Clinton, 49%-42%. The Rasmussen Reports poll also shows Barack Obama beating McCain 46% to 43%.
 
Comments
87
Pending Comments
0
iPhone App Promo

Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to

View Comments:
Page: 1 2 3 Next › Last » (3 pages total)
- larmarch5 I'm a Fan of larmarch5 51 fans permalink
photo

Sign HuffPost's Say "No" to Pollsters Petition!

Latest Poll: McCain Beats Clinton, Obama Beats McCain

So why the &%*# are both these headlines on this site? Hypocrisy? It undermines the credibility of this site.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:05 PM on 02/20/2008

If Hillary gets nominated, you will see 90 MILLION REPUBLICANS come out and vote against her!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:00 PM on 02/19/2008

Excuse me. Excuse me, everyone! It has come to my attention that about half of you people present are in the wrong place. This is where we vote to nominate a Democratic candidate for President of the United States. This is NOT where you vote for your favorite American Idol contestant! Now, you know who you are, people. You are the young, starry-eyed idealists, the confidently intelligent, sophisticated paragon seekers, the hopeless dreamers, and the mindless followers of anything trendy. So, if you want to vote for a candidate who is qualified because of their policies and experience, you are welcome to stay. But if you are looking for someone who is awesome, sexy, cute, a hottie or a JFK lookalike, gather up your cell phones, People magazines and bottles of water and get the hell out of here and let the rest of us, who still have an ounce of brains left, decide on a nominee who actually may be able to clean up the mess that was made by a candidate voted most popular by people like you Thank you.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:32 PM on 02/19/2008
- wrabbitt I'm a Fan of wrabbitt 9 fans permalink

Which candidate will be the best? Which candidate will lie best? Will business as usual ever come to an end in Washington? Will congress ever get off its ass and get something done? Will Universal Health Care finally get DOA? All those who think Americans want free health care already have it.And don't want to lose another perk. Pay raises in congress should be based on performance, imagine how much money that would save!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:51 PM on 02/19/2008
- mamamay I'm a Fan of mamamay 3 fans permalink

They both have the same mindset. McC from Sen AZ and Hil, worked for Sen Goldwater,AZ. Hil doesn't practice Dem Party rules. She thinks she is still a Goldwater girl. Go figure. These two are in cohoots with each other a vote for either gets the same results. Save your Dem vote and Vote for Obama the real hero, and prepared man for the job of Pres in 08

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:35 PM on 02/19/2008
- mabelle55 I'm a Fan of mabelle55 2 fans permalink

Right, right, right. Never mind that Mr. "Yes We Can" (another stolen slogan) has to steal his words AND his policies (reference HRC's economic policy -- stolen nearly word for word by Mr. "Yes We Can" Obama.

Right, right, right. Not sure what world you're living in, but it isn't the same world occupied by the sane...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:52 PM on 02/19/2008

As a former pollster I can tell you that public opinion is like modeling clay, it exists to be shaped. Hillary is like that song "Second Hand Rose" her reputation has been screwed over so often we know ALL her secrets, not so with Barak. But wait until the Republican slime machine gets hold of him. Between the sweetheart realestate deals and the ties to hate mongerer Louis Farrakahn along with the "Committee For A Drug Free Presidency" he won't know what hit him. If you thought "Whitewater" was bad wait till you get "Rezco gate". Democrats just don't get it.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:55 PM on 02/19/2008

Your full of it. You think the Clintons are clean? Wake up!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:21 AM on 02/20/2008
- Garvagh I'm a Fan of Garvagh 11 fans permalink

Many of those who want to ensure McCain does not get into the White House have come to the conclusion Hillary Clinto needs to quieten down rather a lot because she is getting to be tiresome.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:15 PM on 02/19/2008

I love polls,they give you something to hang on to when the wind is blowing but they don't tell you a thing about who wins elections.
The republicans have made a science out of elections, they've done something that the democrats aren't capable of, they've examined the facts.The dem's, they run on hope.In 2000,reepublicans literally stole, as in coup d'etat, the presidency.Then they watched how the dem's and their followers reacted. They found that they didn't. Dems pissed and moaned but in the end a republican was the president.No doubt, this gave them confidence in "04" and self confidence goes a long way but there's also a lot to be said for luck, or, whatever it was that made Kerry stop campaigning and climbing into a hole a week before elections.That presents,for me,a query which will remain until my last breath.My thoughts are that it took a lot of money but then I'm one of those "nuts" who believe that certain sectors of our govt. had a strong hand in killing JFK. How silly of me! But still, a moron remains as president (just ask anyone, even the morons who actually voted for him)and here we are,2008 and who,rather than the logical choice,the one man who would beat any republican; John Edwards, is in the run-off in the primaries? A Black and a Woman! What the fuck?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:29 PM on 02/19/2008

I was about to run out of space so ,I'm back. Where was I? O Yea; What the fuck?

Does it really matter which one wins? How can I say this without coming off racist or chauvinist? I guess I can't so I'll just say what I think, as always.

This is still America.Land of the free, home of the racists and chauvinists. And the republicans know this. Why?Because they pay attention, not like the naive dems, hoping for an historic win, no matter who.Republicans know that there are sectors of our population who havn't answered any polls or made any public appearances but will walk through fire rather than see a Black (they don't call him that) or a Woman(they don't call her that either)as President of their United States and they will come out and vote when the time comes, for ANYTHING other than an "N" or a "W"! Get my drift? "Oh, no" you say, this is the 21st century. We're not like that anymore. Well, maybe you're not, but there are a hell of a lot of people who are and they don't hide it. You just don't happen to know them or live around them but there are many "small towns" and "groups" who still have a 1950s mindset and even gather themselves as (now hold your heart) KKK or Nazi's. Yup. And you know what else? That next door neighbor who always says things like "It's nice to see that a colored can finally get to be President in this country"? He ain't votin for no "colored" or no "bitch", excuse my vernacularism.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:21 PM on 02/19/2008
- mamamay I'm a Fan of mamamay 3 fans permalink

Did you see where the 3k said that they will endorse Obama? Did you see what they called Hil? Well right now they are calling you something worse. Perhaps you are feeling what was reported that they said. If so, why don't you stay home on election day, unless you have thrown your vote away already. This is America, only here can you get away with acting out as you are on this website. Have a good day, and remember, People aren't fooled or into your hatred anymore.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:44 PM on 02/19/2008
- mabelle55 I'm a Fan of mabelle55 2 fans permalink

Don't like your language: b**** -- can't you come up with another word, for cryin' out loud? JHC, you give whites a bad name...

I do agree with the overall premise, though. I've lived in some of those communities and know how they think. Even if Obama has won all those "red" states in primaries/caucuses, come November they'll vote pretty much the way they have always voted. All you have to do is take a look at previous elections where Dems. won "red states" in their primaries/caucuses and then got slaughtered by those same "red states" in the general.

And in the battleground states (OH, FL, PA), guess what? A Quinnipiac poll done over the weekend shows John McCain beating *BOTH* Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, by about the same margins. Independents' votes make not one whit of difference -- BHO & HRC get between 34-36 percent; white men? No difference. BHO & HRC get about the same support.

But, then, Obama's followers are too ignorant and/or too arrogant to understand or appreciate this "history".

Oh, I forget: They can't (or won't) read!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:59 PM on 02/19/2008

I just can't stop running my mouth, so I'm back,,,but this is the end of my "comment";
How can this country, or so many n this country, be so blind? I almost said stupid but that's not nice,, but,whitey,please! Can you people not see, or is everyone "afraid" to see? Does it frighten everyone so much that our contry is no longer the "progressive,God fearing, war winning hero of the world" that we just won't see it? Is it so frightening to believe that major corporations have taken over our government and will send our children off to war to kill innocents and die themselves for no other reason than money,,,MONEY, that you'll still vote for a murderer just because he says"God bless America"? Is everyone that scared? Well shit, if they are then why not change it? ANY WAY WE CAN. If we can't change it with our votes because they just don't mean anything anymore then we can find other means. There are always alternatives but only if we think. Problem is , we've become afraid to think.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:30 PM on 02/19/2008
- Timma I'm a Fan of Timma 4 fans permalink
photo

Thanks for stating the case. Clinton on the Presidential Ballot will get every single Republican who had decided to stay home because the process was so screwed up, to get off their duffs on election day and vote - Likewise with independents and younger voters. The public knows this - The Clinton campaign needs to wake up!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:27 PM on 02/19/2008
- CowgirlAmy I'm a Fan of CowgirlAmy 9 fans permalink

If the polls do not say that EITHER Hillary or Obama would clobber McCain then I give up. How many times does this country have to elect a Republican to finally understand they CANNOT govern?????? How many?

Both Hillary and Obama should be handily ahead in any poll against ANY Republican but I guess this country wants more badly run/incompetent government. Amazing!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:14 PM on 02/19/2008
- gonavy I'm a Fan of gonavy 7 fans permalink

Real Clear Politics has all the polls on their site. Check it out.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:40 PM on 02/20/2008
photo

The republicans want Hillary to win desperately they still have the old scandal book updated and ready to go.

They will discredit Hillary by lambasting Bill.

Quite frankly do we need to go through another version of Ground Hog Day, replaying; “I did not have sex with that woman” over and over again?

Do we have to relive whether impeaching and disbaring Bill was wrong or not and whether investigating White Water was necessary?

I personally like Hillary but think it is really time for the country to move on, we need a fresh start, we have much more important issues to deal with than defending the Clinton scandals all over again.

Undoubtedly the republican hit machine will go after Obama with the same intensity as they did against Clinton, Gore and Kerry but at least it will not be the impossibly boring never ending talking points the republicans will throw at us about Clinton dishonoring the oval office.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:17 PM on 02/19/2008

So America is telling the world that John McCain has a more than even chance of being the next president.All we need then is the return of Karl Rove and we are back to status quo.
Sick nation.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:13 PM on 02/19/2008
- kroses98 I'm a Fan of kroses98 13 fans permalink

We already have Karl Rove, in the body of Billary!!!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:59 PM on 02/19/2008

McCain is wasting his time. After Bush, get real. Kroses98 you are right.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:27 AM on 02/20/2008
- dsigeorge I'm a Fan of dsigeorge 2 fans permalink

This is the reality that democrats, the DNC, superdelegates and the Clinton's and their supporters must acknowledge. The Clinton's are unelectable in a general election! It would be best for our nation if they would gracefully concede the nomination and work to unify the party.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:22 AM on 02/19/2008
- mabelle55 I'm a Fan of mabelle55 2 fans permalink

Guess what? So is Obama!! You think because he won "red" states in the primaries/caucuses he's gonna win them in November? You have no understanding of history, or you don't care. Why do you think it is that Independents who can vote in Dem. caucuses/primaries support Barack Obama? Because HE IS NOT EXPERIENCED AND CAN'T WIN AGAINST JOHN MCCAIN. Independent voters aren't stupid! Of course they'll vote for Obama in the primaries/caucuses -- either to defeat HRC, whatever their irrational fears are about her, or to put up an unqualified neophyte against the Republican Machine! What do you not get about history and what the Republicans have done since 1980? What, exactly, do you not understand about politics?

Obama's followers are selling the Democratic Party and real democracy down the river to make a point or points about Hillary Clinton. Way to go!! I should be proud of this? You want a Republican co-opted candidate as the Democratic nominee? That is what you're getting in Barack Obama. That you cannot see this is beyond me.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:06 PM on 02/19/2008
- Dalpine I'm a Fan of Dalpine 6 fans permalink

Do you think Hillary will win all the states that she's lost? A vote for Hillary is a vote for McCain. Hillary's still standing because she's still holding out for the Big Money.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:56 PM on 02/19/2008

Have the Republicans attacked Obama the way they have attacked Hillary over the last 15 years? She's still standing, but obama will fall hard and fast once the oil machine gets done with him. that's a fact. Hillary is the only chance we have to defeat the monster.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:50 AM on 02/19/2008

"Have the Republicans attacked Obama the way they have attacked Hillary over the last 15 years? She's still standing..."

Anything better to say then regurgitated Hillary platitudes?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:51 AM on 02/19/2008

Yes, I have a lot to say.
What kind of Supreme court judge do you think Obama or Hillary would appoint?
Will Obama appoint another nice black man like Clarence Thomas to the court. Last summer, this nice black man voted against equal pay for women in the Ledbetter case. Liberal judges voted to pay the woman an equal wage.
Why did Obama vote in favor of tax breaks for the oil companies last month--while Hillary voted against it?
Why do women earn 25 percent less than a man in the same job in America----because we allow it by being too blind to vote for ourselves by voting for Hillary----a woman who was fighting for the rights of abused children and women while Obama, by his own admission, was chasing women and snorting coke.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:29 PM on 02/19/2008
- mamamay I'm a Fan of mamamay 3 fans permalink

Obama stands for America, he will not fall for just anything as you imply.He says he is skinny, but he is tough. Please don't judge the book by it's cover.Many folks have such little faith.You think that because folks of color have been told for so long that they aren't worthy, aren't of any value,can't do, etc.,that these folks are weak,and have no will of substance, Why? You have lost sight on your own will and ability to do in such a bad way that you just don't get it, or think folks of color can't jump. Get it already. Obama is prepare, qualified, more EXPERIENCED and ready to work for you now and on day one in the WH,moreso than any Clinton.
on

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:33 PM on 02/19/2008
- jason10006 I'm a Fan of jason10006 2 fans permalink

Its funny how Obamniacs say "POLLS ARE BOGUS MAN!!!!!!" - until the polls favor Obama. National polls are menaingless. How Hilary and Obama do versus McCain in the 10-15 swing states are all taht matters - and Hilary does better there. But say that and, well, "POLLS ARE BOGUS DUDE!!!!!"

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:45 AM on 02/19/2008

In polls over the last few days, in head-to-head matchups, Obama beats McCain by comfortable to significant margins, and Hillary loses to McCain in -- Colorado, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Of course these are just snapshots of what people are feeling right now -- that being said, a strong showing for a democrat against a republican in these red to purple states -- you can't ignore.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:53 AM on 02/19/2008
- Dalpine I'm a Fan of Dalpine 6 fans permalink

Hillary is the one who lives by polls.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:57 PM on 02/19/2008

Wisconsin voter here. I'm voting Obama tomorrow.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:40 PM on 02/18/2008
- janvoght I'm a Fan of janvoght 8 fans permalink
photo

i voted feb 5th in so cal...for obama!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:10 AM on 02/19/2008
Page: 1 2 3 Next › Last » (3 pages total)
Comments are closed for this entry

 You must be logged in to comment. Log in  or connect with 

Connect