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U.S. Prepares for “First Gentleman” Bill Clinton
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Adults in the United States react differently on the possible return of former president Bill Clinton to the White House, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 38 per cent of respondents say they feel enthusiastic about the idea, while 33 per cent say they are scared.
Clinton served as president from 1993 to 2001. His wife, New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, is expected to seek the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in 2008. Public sentiment on the former head of state varies across party lines. While 66 per cent of Democratic respondents and 34 per cent of independents hold positive feelings, only 12 per cent of Republican respondents concur.
Rodham Clinton was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, defeating Republican Rick Lazio by 12 per cent. She ruled out a presidential bid in 2004. 78 per cent of respondents believe a woman will be featured on either of the presidential tickets in the next election.
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 were elected president, then Bill Clinton would return to the White House as first gentleman. Which comes closer to how you feel about the possibility of Bill Clinton being back in the White House?
All | Dem. | Rep. | Ind. | |
Enthusiastic | 38% | 66% | 12% | 34% |
Scared | 33% | 11% | 63% | 21% |
Mixed | 11% | 7% | 11% | 18% |
Other | 9% | 8% | 7% | 13% |
How likely do you think it is that a woman will be on one of the presidential tickets in 2008, either as a presidential or a vice-presidential candidate?
Very likely | 44% |
Somewhat likely | 34% |
Not very likely | 11% |
Not at all likely | 8% |
Not sure | 3% |
Source: Opinion Dynamics / Fox News
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 900 American registered voters, conducted on Jun. 14 and Jun. 15, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.