Poll Watch

Barack Obama Bests Hillary Clinton in New Iowa Poll

11.19.07 -- 8:53 PM

By Anne E. Kornblut and Jon Cohen - Washington Post

The top three Democratic presidential contenders remain locked in a close battle in Iowa, with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) seeing her advantages diminish on key issues, including the questions of experience and which candidate is best prepared to handle the war in Iraq, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) draws support from 30 percent of likely Democratic caucus-goers in Iowa, compared with 26 percent for Clinton and 22 percent for former senator John Edwards (N.C.). New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson received 11 percent. The results are only marginally different from a Post-ABC poll in late July, but in a state likely to set the tone for the rest of the nominating process, there are significant signs of progress for Obama -- and harbingers of concern for Clinton.

Giuliani top presidential candidate among Florida voters

Tallahassee, Florida

11.19.07 -- 11:00 AM

By John Kennedy - Orlando Sentinel

Republican Rudy Giuliani is the most popular presidential contender with Florida voters, outpacing his rival Republicans and Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, according to an Orlando Sentinel poll released Monday.

With the election less than a year away, 57 percent of Floridians surveyed said they would at least consider voting for the former New York mayor compared to 49 percent for Clinton.

Clinton has a higher negative rating than any other candidate in the presidential race -- with 45 percent holding an unfavorable view of her compared to 38 percent favorable. Giuliani, by constrast is the most popular contender, with 42 percent of Floridians favorable to him compared to 29 percent unfavorable.

GOP Race: Giuliani's National Gallup Numbers Drop Below 30% for the First Time Since June

Princeton, New Jersey

11.17.07 -- 1:13 PM

By Jeffrey M. Jones - Gallup

The latest Gallup Poll update on national Republicans’ preferences for the party’s 2008 nomination shows former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani continuing to lead the field, although his support has dropped below 30% for the first time since June, and his nine-point lead is on the low end of what he has held since February.

Four other GOP candidates now register double-digit support, including former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who now has his highest level of support to date. In general, the Republican field appears more tightly bunched than at other times this year, suggesting the possibility of a highly competitive race for the party’s presidential nomination.

The Nov. 11-14 Gallup Poll finds 28% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents nationwide naming Giuliani as their first choice for the party’s 2008 presidential nomination. Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is second, at 19%.