The McCain camp notes a new Gallup poll showing that in the general
election, 28 percent of Clinton supporters would support McCain if
Obama were the nominee, and 19 percent of Obama supporters would
defect if Clinton were the nominee. A recent Pennsylvania poll had similar findings. The
Gallup is noteworthy on two levels. Clearly, it shows that the
Democratic nomination battle is taking a toll on party unity. But
what may be even more interesting is that contrary to the popular
belief that a Clinton nomination would split the party more, in
this poll, it is an Obama nomination that triggers more defections.
I suppose, alternatively, that this can be viewed as Obama
supporters being more willing to put what's best for the party
above their personal bitterness. These numbers would likely drop
once the heated primary campaign is over and the Democrats start
attacking McCain as running for President Bush's third term. But
still, it's a bad sign for Dems.