The Phoenix

In a New Poll, Colbert Gets 13% in a Three-Way Race with Clinton and Giuliani --- and Helps Democrats

Stephen Colbert would draw 13% nationally n the latest Rasmussen Poll in a Clinton-Giuliani race, with Clinton winning 45%-35%. But it’s worth pointing out an important point the poll illustrates, beyond Colbert's rather incredible showing. Virtually any third-party candidacy in 2008 is going to hurt the Republicans. And there is likely to be one of these candidacies next year, if not more.
That’s because an independent candidate -- even a liberal one -- represents a challenge to the status quo. (Hillary only led Giuliani by seven points in a two-person race in a recent Rasmussen Poll.) Unless the Republicans can somehow make the Democratic candidate the virtual incumbent -- which frankly is an almost impossible task -- they have to do everything they can to keep the influence of these candidates marginal. That may be possible with, say, a Ron Paul. But if there’s any TV celebrity who decides to “answer the call” -- whether the last name is Dobbs, Colbert, or whatever -- the GOP’s chances will diminish dramatically.

Published Oct 24 2007, 07:22 PM by Importer

LorenzoJennifer said:

Connect Hillary to the Bill Clinton presidency and you have a virtual incumbent. The GOP would love to deflect attention from Bush and make the '08 election a referendum on Hillary and - by extension - the less attractive aspects of Bill Clinton's presidency such as Monica, the ineffective search and pursuit of terrorism in general and Bin Laden in particular, the Lincoln bedroom overnight reservations for wealthy donors, the mysterious death of White House aide Vincent Foster, and so on. The left may also present challenges. Ralph Nader, on one of those Sunday morning talk shows a few months ago, strongly suggested - but did not state outright - his possibly running for Prez in '08 were Hillary the Democratic nominee. Just came across something called Democratic Courage and - happily - see it posted on your board (You're on game, kid-o!) If Obama were the Democratic nominee then the GOP need not worry as rampant racism in the American electorate would assure them victory.

October 24, 2007 8:37 PM