Dean Takes Front-Runner Status Nationally for First Time (new Gallup poll)

[arcos]

Dean Takes Front-Runner Status Nationally for First Time

PRINCETON, NJ -- With little over a month until the first contest for delegates to the Democratic National Convention, a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup survey of Democrats shows, for the first time, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean has moved into first place for his party's nomination among Democrats nationally. Twenty-five percent of registered voters who identify with or lean to the Democratic Party say they are supporting Dean for the nomination. Retired Gen. Wesley Clark ranks second with 17%. Three weeks ago, Dean and Clark were tied at 17%.

The latest figures, with Dean at the top of the list of candidates, represent a major change in the nomination contest. Shortly after Clark entered the race in September, he led with 22% support, compared with 13% for Dean, and 10% to 11% for the other three major candidates. Since then, Clark's support has waned somewhat, while Dean's has nearly doubled.

From a long-term perspective, the race has changed even more significantly. Late in the spring of this year Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry led among Democrats, while Dean was near the bottom of the list. Since then, both Lieberman and in particular Kerry have dropped significantly as Dean has risen in the poll's rankings.

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http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr031209.asp

[jmaier]

1. Hmmm...

In addition to Dean, a bump for Gephardt and Edwards, decline for Lieberman and Kerry. Early front runners continue to ebb. Clark holds his position EVEN as Dean gains.

[BootinUp]

2. MOE +/-5

This poll doesn't seem to compare well with other recent polls, also the MOE is high.

"For results based on the sample of 402 Democrats and Democratic leaners who are registered to vote, the maximum margin of sampling error is ±5 percentage points."

Just a thought.

[central scrutinizer]

4. MOE is simply a function

of sample size and confidence level (usually 95%) In this case, it is actually 4.89 %.

[joefree1]

3. Yea for populism, innovation, and hard work

Big wake up call for the Washington elite and that White House squatter frat boy.

[Sterling]

5. Great news, I like Dean a lot.

If Clark had a track record and was not part of the MIC I might like him more but Dean is the best candidate who can actually win in mt opinion.