"Republican Candidate" Extends Lead vs. Obama to 47% to 39%

[thewiseguy]

Margin marks first statistically significant lead among registered voters

by Jeffrey M. Jones

PRINCETON, NJ -- Registered voters by a significant margin now say they are more likely to vote for the "Republican Party's candidate for president" than for President Barack Obama in the 2012 election, 47% to 39%. Preferences had been fairly evenly divided this year in this test of Obama's re-election prospects.



Gallup typically uses this question format when a president is seeking re-election but his likely opponent is unknown, as was the case in 1991-1992 and 2003-2004, when incumbents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, respectively, were seeking re-election.

The elder Bush held large leads over his generic Democratic opponent throughout 1991, but early 1992 preferences were more evenly divided and Bush eventually lost his re-election bid. The younger Bush also consistently maintained at least a small advantage over the Democrat throughout 2003, before winning re-election in a close contest in November 2004.



http://www.gallup.com/poll/148487/Republican-Candidate-Extends-Lead-Obama.aspx

There is more at the link. These numbers do not predict who the eventual winner will be but Obama is not doing well in the court of public opinion at the moment. Got to turn things around...

[liberal N proud]

1. If you ask enough people and only select the answers you want

You can get a poll to say anything you want.

[thewiseguy]

2. The poll has been around for many years

You are welcome to not believe it.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Journeyman]

4. Get back to me when there's a name in the (R) column. . .

"Generic" sounds like a great candidate, a fresh alternative to the status quo, but when the candidate has an actual voice and uses it to expound on asinine views, "Name Brand" loses its appeal.

[thewiseguy]

6. Article does mention Romney does not have a good favorable rating either

So you have a point. Maybe he will switch his name to the "Generic Republican Candidate". :rofl:

[RagAss]

5. No surprise...we're going down in 2012.

[TheBigotBasher]

7. To whom?

I note your concern.

[RagAss]

14. Note this...

I don't need to explain myself to you. And if you need a sarcasm tag from me...you're in the wrong place !!!!!

[PoliticAverse]

8. Colbert covered this 'generic candidate' poll...

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/390199/june-21-2011/generic-republican-presidential-nominee

If only the republicans didn't actually have to pick one of them.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Great. Now Obama will attempt to move even further right to get the independents.

And, the "lesser of two evils" will become even more meaningless.

[emulatorloo]

13. I have one problem for you: Generic Republican™ isn't actually running.

n/t

[Tx4obama]

10. BUT when a 'person' is named - Obama beats them all. See below

Look at this link:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/president_obama_vs_republican_candidates.html

Look at the WHOLE page of polls, each section (except the first) is Obama vs. 'a named person'.

[thewiseguy]

11. I am wondering who the generic Republican candidate is....

Or who people do have in their mind. :shrug:

[susanr516]

15. I think it just reflects voter angst

The economic situation for most people is still pretty grim and no one knows for sure what's going to happen with the debt ceiling showdown. When faced with the choice, Obama or unnamed R, there's probably a significant group of people who would say, "Some other guy." However, when forced to select one of the current crazy crop of Republicans, people decide Obama isn't such a bad choice, after all. It's not a position of real strength for Obama, but I don't see a huge threat from any of the current bunch of R candidates.

[Rex]

12. Yes, but that is without the actual candidate which lets face it

will take an instant 30 points off their 'lead' by opening their mouths and saying...well...crazyshit.

[fascisthunter]

16. why would anyone take polls this early seriously?

[CanonRay]

17. His approval rating is 49%. How can this be consistent?

[LiberalAndProud]

18. Compare with this poll.

Note that a generic Democrat didn't switch with generic Republican until Aug-Sep 2008. I will take this one with a grain of salt. Gallup always tends to make a trend correction as we move closer to the actual election.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/111709/democrats-lead-big-generic-ballot.aspx