So who is truly the strongest candidate? The truth is that they all have points that need to be taken into account. Obama says that he can bring in independents. Edwards claims he can bring more rural, traditionally red, states into play come November. Clinton's argument is that she is the only Democratic candidate who keep up with McCain on foreign policy issues. All the above are excellent points made by each of the candidates.
So, we've heard the arguments, but what about the numbers? Well just today, the LA Times and Bloomberg released polling data pitting Clinton and Obama against McCain (sorry Edwards, you weren't included), and here are the results:
-Clinton 46% McCain 42% (Clinton +4%)
-Obama 41% McCain 42% (McCain +1%)
As I pointed out before, Clinton has to be considered the best Democrat to go against McCain. Why? Because McCain could easily beat Obama over and over again with the claim to experience in general as well as foreign policy experience. Clinton would cede neither the experience argument nor the foreign policy experience argument to McCain. She could go toe to toe with McCain on those issues. Giving McCain Obama as an opponent would be giving him a huge advantage. What's his advantage over Clinton? Is there one? We haven't seen one yet.
2 comments :
The fallacy in polls such as this is that they don't show where the support is coming from. Is Hillary's support more from urban areas and typically blue states or from swing states that will help the democrats gain the needed electoral votes they've missed in the last two elections? Likewise for Obama. Which candidate does best in the swing states. You can easily win the popular vote but lose the electoral votes. Who does best in Ohio and Florida?
I don't believe McCain is the strongest Republican Candidate when it comes to the general election. I think Romney would be. However I believe the American people are ready to change and elect a Democrat the next president. Super Tuesday will give the people a good idea of who is really the strongest Republican. On the Democratic side I believe Clinton will come out on top on Super Tuesday and Edwards will be in second place. I see real signs of Obama loosing what appeal he had. His debate answers have been horrific .
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