Bradley in DC
07-15-2007, 07:41 AM
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20070715&Category=REPOSITORY&ArtNo=707150380&SectionCat=&Template=printart
In the Republican primary, 27 percent back Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, while 20 percent pick former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and 16 percent choose Arizona Sen. John McCain. Former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, who hasn't announced yet, debuts at 15 percent, his numbers appearing to take directly from McCain, a close friend. . .
For now, the Republican race appears to be in a state of flux, said Charlie Arlinghaus, a former executive director of the state Republican Party, who said the Democratic race seems a lot easier to call. . .
Ali, the pollster, said Romney appears to lack support outside the Republican base.
"I think outside the constituency of Republican Primary voters, there's just no appeal for Romney," Ali said. "It's a combination of: They know him and they don't like him."
Romney spokesman Craig Stevens said that the former Massachusetts governor doesn't walk into the race with broad name recognition, unlike Giuliani or McCain, and that he hasn't had much chance to make his case to groups beyond Republican primary voters. "The more people hear Mitt Romney the more people like Mitt Romney," he said. . . .
On the Republican side, with Fred Thompson rumored to be on the brink of announcing his candidacy, the former Tennessee senator and actor debuts at fourth place and appears to draw support directly from McCain. Without Thompson in the race, McCain comes in second, attracting 23 percent.
With Thompson in, that drops to 16, with Thompson at 15 a close fourth.
Thompson puts across "that sort of straight-shooter, straight talker" image that is McCain's trademark, Lesperance said. (In fact, back in 2000, Thompson rode with McCain on his "Straight Talk Express.") "Thompson's candidacy could be devastating for John McCain," Lesperance said. . .
On the Republican side, several candidates get 1 percent each: Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, California Rep. Duncan Hunter, Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson.
Of course, there's about six months to go before the primary and 16 months before the 2008 general election. Smith, the UNH pollster, offered a word of warning against reading too much into polls.
"Remember: In early January of 2004, Howard Dean was leading," he said.
In the Republican primary, 27 percent back Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, while 20 percent pick former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and 16 percent choose Arizona Sen. John McCain. Former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, who hasn't announced yet, debuts at 15 percent, his numbers appearing to take directly from McCain, a close friend. . .
For now, the Republican race appears to be in a state of flux, said Charlie Arlinghaus, a former executive director of the state Republican Party, who said the Democratic race seems a lot easier to call. . .
Ali, the pollster, said Romney appears to lack support outside the Republican base.
"I think outside the constituency of Republican Primary voters, there's just no appeal for Romney," Ali said. "It's a combination of: They know him and they don't like him."
Romney spokesman Craig Stevens said that the former Massachusetts governor doesn't walk into the race with broad name recognition, unlike Giuliani or McCain, and that he hasn't had much chance to make his case to groups beyond Republican primary voters. "The more people hear Mitt Romney the more people like Mitt Romney," he said. . . .
On the Republican side, with Fred Thompson rumored to be on the brink of announcing his candidacy, the former Tennessee senator and actor debuts at fourth place and appears to draw support directly from McCain. Without Thompson in the race, McCain comes in second, attracting 23 percent.
With Thompson in, that drops to 16, with Thompson at 15 a close fourth.
Thompson puts across "that sort of straight-shooter, straight talker" image that is McCain's trademark, Lesperance said. (In fact, back in 2000, Thompson rode with McCain on his "Straight Talk Express.") "Thompson's candidacy could be devastating for John McCain," Lesperance said. . .
On the Republican side, several candidates get 1 percent each: Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, California Rep. Duncan Hunter, Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson.
Of course, there's about six months to go before the primary and 16 months before the 2008 general election. Smith, the UNH pollster, offered a word of warning against reading too much into polls.
"Remember: In early January of 2004, Howard Dean was leading," he said.