The Spectacle Blog
John, you are correct. What I should have said is the polls are of little use in predicting the winner. Given that, you can sift through the news of the days looking for hints as to who is up and down. McCain’s crowds are large and enthusiastic. McCain gets in his licks on the economy and commander in chief qualifications and of course there is always a YouTube to show Romney said something different a few years ago. However Romney is getting kudos for staying on message and upbeat.
If McCain wins, Romney will be “down for the count” — except he has the money and desire to stay in the race through February 5. If McCain loses he’ll “suffer a setback” — except he’ll contend it was Romney’s home state and look for a quick victory in SC. Would it be worse for Romney if he lost? Yes but in this race apparently nothing is decisive.
Meanwhile, McCain’s win in NH did what Romney had
hoped it would have done for him: vault him to a commanding lead in
national polls.
NY/CBS has him with 33%, Huckabee at 18%, Rudy at 10% and
Romney and Thompson at 8%. (McCain holds a commanding advantage in
favorable/unfavorable ratings; Romney’s is the only one in negative
territory). According to the same poll, 62% think he shares GOP
vales while 63% think Huckabee does and 48% say the same for
Romney. McCain also laps the field on the electability argument.
Does THIS (and other
national polls showing a less dramatic bump) mean anything ?
Perhaps for three reasons: 1) February 5 big states may follow
similar patterns; 2) It may help McCain convince donors to put
their money down on the “leader” and 3) There is a reservoir of
support for McCain that may cushion the blow if he loses in
Michigan and sustain him through SC, Florida and February 5. Or it
could all be meaningless and change in the blink of an eye if
others win the next few primaries. UPDATE: Wash Post/ABC also has McCain in
the lead (28%), with Huckabee next(20%) but Romney and Rudy not
that far behind.
Leave a comment
Related Blog Posts
More Blog Posts by Jennifer Rubin
http://spectator.org/blog/2008/01/13/re-a-clear-dead-heat
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
