New 2008 presidential polls

Pew Research has released data from two polls focusing on the 2008 presidential race, covering both Republicans and Democrats. The polling for Democrats shows Hillary Clinton - at 28% - with a wide lead over any other potential candidate in the race, with Al Gore second at 13%. John Edwards is the closest Dem contender that will actually run, coming in at 11%. Unless support builds around a Ned Lamont/anti-war Dem, Hillary has the nomination wrapped up.

The numbers:

Hillary Rodham Clinton 29%
Al Gore 13%
John Edwards 11%
John Kerry 9%
Joe Biden 6%
Bill Richardson 5%
Mark Warner 3%
Russ Feingold 3%
Other 2%
None 16%
Don’t know 3%


The numbers for Republicans show a much tighter three-way race between John McCain (26%), Rudy Giuliani (24%), and Condi Rice (18%). No other potential candidate is higher than 5%. That included publicity-hound Newt Gingrich. His recent blathering about "World War III" doesn't seem to have found much support, even in the right-wing GOP. Other GOP candidates that are virtually nowhere in this poll are George Allen (3%) and Bill Frist (2%). Too be polling that low at this time is not a good sign for those campaigns.

Condi Rice is still the big shocker in here, as Republicans ignore her pleas that she will nor run and continue to give her high marks. Pressure may build from - of all places - the right-wing GOP for her to run and present a GWBush-style ideology to compete with maverick John McCain. The rumblings are already there.

The numbers:

John McCain 26%
Rudy Giuliani 24%
Condoleezza Rice 18%
Newt Gingrich 5%
George Allen 3%
Mitt Romney 3%
Bill Frist 2%
Sam Brownback 1%
Other 1%
None 13%
Don’t know 4%