Many of my fellow Kossacks have expressed their undying distaste for Rasmussen, "the Republican tool," as he is fondly known by many in these parts, who runs a daily tracking poll in the presidential election. It seems that of late in the Rasmussen poll, there has been no end of good news for Hillary and no end of bad news for her opponents. But since the weekend, Hillary’s national numbers have fallen to a mere eleven points, and there was joy throughout Mudville today.
The enfeebled and biased Rasmussen had repented and found the true light. Well, it may be. I am in no position to dispute it. I don’t have my own numbers to suggest whether he was right last week or wrong this week. Based on the pleasure it has brought many of you, let’s peg Hillary at 11 points nationally.
But then there is Iowa. A new poll comes out of Iowa today. And Hillary is doing quite well in this latest poll.
The University of Iowa asked 425 Democratic caucus goers who they supported for the Democratic nomination. They replied:
CLINTON 26.8
OBAMA 22.3
EDWARDS 22.1
RICHARDSON 8.5
DON’T KNOW 16.2
OTHERS 4.1
Now in the interest of full disclosure, the poll included both "most likely caucus goers" and "less likely caucus goers." The most likely caucus goers (n=319) slightly favored Edwards over Hillary (26.0 to 24.8; Obama tagged behind in this population at 19.3.) The less likely caucus goers (n=106) favored Hillary over Obama (32.7 to 25.2; Edwards lagged at 10.3 with this population.)
Anyway, the polls are what they are, and though they say nothing about the long term hopes of the candidates, they do provide a snapshot of today.