I stumbled onto a Pew Poll a few days ago.
I read it in one of the Newspapers and did a little digging.
I found a few things that really surprised me.
Please join me....
I will get the linky dink out of the way so I don't forget:
http://pewresearch.org/...
Heeeerrreeee we go!
Iraq:
A steadily growing number of Americans say progress is being made in Iraq. Moreover, 47% now favor keeping U.S. troops in Iraq until the situation there has stabilized, the highest percentage expressing this view in well more than a year.
For example, in a matchup against Barack Obama, McCain does 31 points better among independents who believe the war is going well than among those who think it is not going well.
If things continue to appear to improve in Iraq, how will that impact Obama's message?
He needs to make clear when he is going to remove the troops.
The interview that Power gave to the BBC just muddied the waters a bit.
This could be cleared up in his next press conference.
Candidate Vulnerabilities:
Has Provided enough information.....Has Not Provided enought Information
Obama......... 36%.......................................56%
Clinton......... 67%.......................................28%
McCain......... 51%.......................................37%
For whatever reason, the voters don't feel that Obama has given out enough information.
He needs to turn that number around and here are a few suggestions to do that:
More town hall type meetings and definitely more press conferences.
He needs to be available to the press and answer all their questions.
This is free exposure, he can get his message out without it costing him a dime and should be taken advantage of.
Foreign Policy:
...........Too Tough.......Not tough enough.......About right:
Obama.........3.................43.....................39
Clinton.........9.................37.....................44
McCain........25................16.....................47
This is a hard one but there are a couple of things I think Obama could do to butress up on this issue:
Make clear his policy on meeting foreign heads of state. There apparently is a feeling out there that on day one, he is going to just "go visitin'".
It's not just a matter of meeting those we dislike.
Without the proper prep work, a Presidential meeting would bestow a certain legitimacy on whomever he meets.
Those heads of state who are against human rights, gay and womens rights or who starve their people while building palaces etc. should not be met with imo.
Who, when and under what circumstances is what he needs to articulate.
Support vs. McCain:
....................Republican........Independent............Democratic
Obama.................8...................49........................81
Clinton.................5...................44........................89
McCain...............87/91............43/50...................14/8
McCains numbers in bold are vs. Obama.
The problem I see here is that for every 1 Repub that will vote for Obama, 2 Dems will vote for McCain.
I didn't understand why that was until I found this:
Overall, 20% of white Democratic voters say they would vote for McCain if Obama is the Democratic nominee
Those are Democratic voters folks, not Republicans!
How do you fix that and is it fixable?
Is it race or policy?
Positions or color?
I honestly don't know. And since I don't know, I have no suggestions on how to fix it.
To sum up:
............All voters
Obama.........50%
Clinton.........50%
McCain........43/45
As of March 6th:
Poll Date Sample.................... McCain (R).... Obama (D) ....Und ....Spread
RCP Average 02/28 - 03/06 - .....42.5............ 48.0............. 8.3.... Obama +5.5
Again the bold is vs. Obama.
I realize that polls will change as we get closer to the GE.
I just added them for reference.
Between now and the GE I think Obama needs to work on three things:
- His foreign policy message.
- His policy on Iraq, if his policy would change re troops if Iraq continues to improve.
- White Dems that could vote for McCain.
Thoughts?