| Here are the results:
Withdraw all troops immediately (22%)
Keep troops to protect Diplomats (57%)
Stay as long as needed (20%)
I was surprised that withdraw now is only supported by 22%. It is worth noting that Richardson's supporters are somewhat more likely to favor immediate withdraw than those of other candidates (27% vs only 15% for Obama and 14% for Edwards).
One poll result I would think would bring a smile to the Obama people this morning: 44% said a candidate's position on Iraq was VERY important. The initial vote on Iraq may be why Clinton and Obama are tied at 24% on the question of who has shown the best judgment. The debate gaffe (which may also be a factor in the judgment question )also has weakened Clinton on another metric: who is the most honest and trustworthy (Obama wins this 26% to 19 % for both Clinton and Edwards).
Hillary's strength is made up of three things:
1. Most experienced (Clinton beats Obama 47-4, Richardson is in second at 14)
2. She is best able to win in November (53-17 over Obama).
3. She is the strongest leader (47-14 over Obama.)
She has three weaknesses:
1. Honesty
2. Judgment
3. Best able to bring need change (she leads Obama only 31-26)
Two of Hillary's strengths would, I think, be greatly effected by losing Iowa (Best able to win, strongest leader). But the experience gap may simply be too much for Obama to overcome, and suggests Edwards or Richardson may be more dangerous in the end to Hillary.
In a sign of just how deep the immigration issue is running among the Republicans, 52% of Republican voters said their position on immigration was VERY important.
Stop and think about that for a second. More GOP voters think immigration is very important than Democrats voters who think that a candidate's initial vote on Iraq is very important. |
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