One of the problems of measuring Al Gore's real support is that most polls simply do not include him as a viable choice as you can see here. When polls specifically include Gore as an alternative to the declared candidates, he does extremely well -- as I pointed out in this diary Do Most Polls Understate Al Gore's Popularity? a few weeks ago.
According to a new poll released today
The crowded field of presidential hopefuls isn't crowded enough to suit Michigan voters, who prefer two unannounced candidates for the Republican and Democratic nominations, a new Detroit News/WXYZ-TV poll shows.
Former Tennessee Senator and TV star Fred Thompson would lead the GOP pack and former Vice President Al Gore would top the Democratic slate should they decide to run, according to a statewide survey of 400 likely Republican and 400 likely Democratic primary voters in Michigan conducted last Wednesday through Monday by EPIC/MRA of Lansing.
The Detroit News/WXYZ-TV poll includes these findings with Gore in the mix
- Al Gore - 36%.
- Hillary Clinton - 32%.
- Barack Obama - 16%.
- John Edwards - 8%.
When Gore was excluded from the choices, the results were
- Hillary Clinton - 45%.
- Barack Obama - 26%.
- John Edwards - 16%.
The poll does show that there is a lot of support for Clinton but Gore is not to be underestimated
"Hillary stays on track and doesn't get rattled," said Alex Warrick, 61, of Detroit, who took part in the survey. "But I still think Gore is the best candidate. When he talks, we all listen."
Pollster Ed Sarpolus said Gore and Thompson do well "because they have better name recognition and they are more well-liked."
Folks, this thing is far from over. Contrary to what you may or may not hear in the MSM, there is plenty of time left for Gore to enter the race and win the 2008 Democratic nomination.
(crossposted at Truth & Progress)