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Four-in-Ten Americans Would Shun Hillary in 2008
- Adults in the United States remain divided over a prospective presidential bid by Democratic New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 40 per cent of respondents say they would definitely not vote for the former first lady in the 2008 election, while 31 per cent would support her candidacy.
Rodham Clinton—a Democrat—was elected to the United States Senate in 2000, defeating Republican Rick Lazio by 12 percentage points. 57 per cent of respondents believe it is very or somewhat likely that Rodham Clinton will be the Democratic nominee in 2008.
On Oct. 12, former Virginia governor Mark Warner announced that he would not seek the Democratic nomination in 2008, declaring, "This is not a choice that was made based on whether I would win or lose. I can say with complete conviction that—15 months out from the first nomination contests—I feel we would have had as good a shot to be successful as any potential candidate in the field. (...) I want to serve, whether in elective office or in some other way. I'm still excited about the possibilities for the future."
Neither of the two major political parties in the U.S. has ever nominated a woman for president. In 1984, New York congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro was Walter Mondale's vice-presidential nominee in the Democratic ticket.
Polling Data
If Hillary Rodham Clinton runs for president in 2008, would you vote for her?
Oct. 16 | Sept. 19 | Sept. 5 | |
Definitely vote for her | 31% | 31% | 31% |
Definitely vote against her | 40% | 39% | 36% |
Depends on who she runs against | 23% | 23% | 25% |
How likely is it that senator Hillary Rodham Clinton will be the Democratic candidate for president in 2008?
Oct. 16 | Sept. 19 | Sept. 5 | |
Very likely | 24% | 23% | 26% |
Somewhat likely | 33% | 35% | 33% |
Not very likely | 10% | 11% | 10% |
Not at all likely | 22% | 18% | 20% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted on Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.