Interesting CNN Poll Findings

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/01/12/rel1b.pdf

First of all, it shows McCain being the strongest choice among the Republicans with him trailing Hillary by 2% and Obama by 1%. No surprise there. It also shows that the other Republicans simply get creamed. Obama leads Giuliani by 16, Romney by 22, and Huckabee by 19. Clinton leads Giuliani by 13, Romney by 18, and Huckabee by 14. The variances in the leads demonstrate that, at this moment, Obama is likely a slightly stronger candidate for the Democrats than Clinton, but not by much. Furthermore, in the committed opposition and support numbers there are some interesting figures.

Obama has definite support from 30% of voters and definite opposition from 38%. Hillary is more polarizing, as if we didn't know that, with 37% saying they would definitely vote for and 43% definitely against. Obama has more wiggle room as another 32% would consider voting for him versus 19% for Hillary. McCain is not as strong as one would think. 22% of voters say they would definitely vote for him versus 43% definitely against. However, 35% said they would consider it.

The other Republicans have serious problems. 55% said they would not even consider voting for Giuliani, 52% said that about Huckabee, and a whopping 62% would never vote for Willard(that's his real name) Romney. These numbers can easily change as voters are rarely so set in their ways, but for the other top three Republicans it poses an interesting problem. Also troubling is that the Republican Party has suffered serious brand damage with a net negative 7% favorable rating versus a positive 21% for Democrats.

I personally believe this will be a real dog fight as the Republicans never give anything up easily, but the political winds seem to favor Democrats.