Drudge - Shock Poll: Obama 42%, Ron Paul 41%

[Morgan Brykein]

That is among people who identify as Republicans. Lots of Independents are really Republicans who don't like the GOP and are unwilling to acknowledge that they are a part of GOP politics. They still vote in the primaries when their candidate is exciting and has a shot. Ron Paul has that ability if he can keep showing up at these straw polls and embarrassing the front-runners.

Don't most state Republican parties have closed primaries?

 

[nate895]

Don't most state Republican parties have closed primaries?

No, and a lot that are you can show up and register that same day. Also, a lot of even registered Republicans will call themselves "Independents." My parents were both registered and dues-paying members when we lived in California (they don't have party registration in WA) and they still would answer that they were conservative independents when asked.

 

[KramerDSP]

This is HUGE!!! I'm ordering my Ron Paul 2012 bumber stickers TODAY.

I'm up in the break room at work trying to hold back tears at the thought.

RON PAUL, the 45th PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES

Quoted For Truth!

 

[parocks]

Political Ideology and Party Affilliation.

Ideology - 40% of America is Conservative - 40% is Moderate - 20% is Liberal

Affliliation - I"m not sure about these numbers, but Republican is about 30-35%
Democrat is higher than Republican.

Of Conservative, Moderate, Liberal, Republican, Democrat, Independent - the biggest group is Conservative.

I think that what people typically don't recognize is that even if every single Republican said that they were Conservative, there would still be 5-10 of Conservatives that are Democrats or Independents.

We know that there are plenty of Republicans that would not describe themselves as Conservatives. Would Collins, Snowe, Brown, etc call themselves Conservative, or Moderate?

I would suspect that there's a pretty big group out there of Conservative Independents.

If it's Ron Paul vs Obama in 2012, figure most Republicans vote for Ron Paul. Not
1/3 of Republicans, but most - 80% or more. 20% of Dems maybe? And a whole bunch of independents. Over 50%.

Numbers aren't that far fetched. Paul could pull 1 out of every 5 democratic voters. Factor in another 1/3 (paleo/libertarian segment) of our every republican voter. And we're not even starting about independents.

 

[Peace&Freedom]

CPAC, SRLC, now this. No where for Republicans leaders to hide now. Paul polls better against the president than any of the GOP rivals, so there's no way to call him marginal anymore. If Paul is virtually tied with Obama now, before any campaign has started, he will annihilate him in election season. O frabjous day, Callooh, Callay!

Democrats have no doubt been put on horrified notice given this news, and must have had a Sauron moment just now---all this while they've focused on beating up a vulnerable Palin outside the gates of Mordor, only to realize that Paul has reached the Crack of Doom! Dems will be cranking up a demonization campaign against him big time, watch out.

Lately, I've been having the thought about what happens when/if Paul wraps up winning the GOP nomination battle in 2012---will he then get pistol whipped into making Romney or Palin (or Jeb Bush) his running mate, as the establishment forced Reagan into choosing Bush in 1980? If he doesn't, will the Rockefeller/countryclub/neocon Republicans walk out of the convention, as they did to Goldwater in 1964?

 

[KramerDSP]

Reactions from two of my co-workers.

Persons A and B - Huge Obama supporters. They were happy that Ron Paul polled so well against Obama when I told them. Both said they're sick of the wars and that they like "some of his ideas" like "coming home from all over the world" and that "we don't need to be there because we create more terrorists". However, they were concerned that he was pro-life and very anxious about the term "states rights". They also said "The GOP will never let him get close enough, so do you think he will run third party?".

Person C - Huge neo-conservative who was a pretty big McCain supporter after being dissatisfied with choices provided during 2008 Primary. Likely a loyal FoxNews reader, and we engaged in playful banner over RP. In 2008, she indicated national security was her biggest concern, and that RP "blames America". Despite discussions, I could not get her to see it from RP's perspective. Today, I told her that every other GOP candidate is crushed by 10% while RP brings Obama all the way down to 42%. She said "that's sad" but then was obviously thinking and seemed puzzled by the fact that only RP could defeat Obama according to the slew of recent polls. I said "I know you're not the world's biggest Paul fan, but the general sentiment of the country is changing, slowly, but surely, and RP would be better than Obama, wouldn't he?". She acknowledged that to be true, and I left it at that.

I think 75% of the neo-conservatives are unconvertible, unfortunately. I would really love to see RP win the GOP nomination, but I just know they'll screw him if he decides to run. What I'm REALLY curious about is how Obama/Biden vs. Romney/Huckabee vs. Paul/VP would turn out, poll-wise. Is the country's mood just right that a third party candidate could win for the first time in modern US history?

GOP, I am fully aboard if Ron Paul and only Ron Paul is the nominee. If anyone else is the nominee, you can guarantee my vote goes elsewhere.

 

[KramerDSP]

Lately, I've been having the thought about what happens when/if Paul wraps up winning the GOP nomination battle in 2012---will he then get pistol whipped into making Romney or Palin (or Jeb Bush) his running mate, as the establishment forced Reagan into choosing Bush in 1980? If he doesn't, will the Rockefeller/countryclub/neocon Republicans walk out of the convention, as they did to Goldwater in 1964?

He's gone this long without compromising himself. I think Ron himself knows that his supporters would be the first to turn on him if he started doing un-Ron like things.

 

[Flash]

CPAC, SRLC, now this. No where for Republicans leaders to hide now. Paul polls better against the president than any of the GOP rivals, so there's no way to call him marginal anymore. If Paul is virtually tied with Obama now, before any campaign has started, he will annihilate him in election season. O frabjous day, Callooh, Callay!

Democrats have no doubt been put on horrified notice given this news, and must have had a Sauron moment just now---all this while they've focused on beating up a vulnerable Palin outside the gates of Mordor, only to realize that Paul has reached the Crack of Doom! Dems will be cranking up a demonization campaign against him big time, watch out.

Lately, I've been having the thought about what happens when/if Paul wraps up winning the GOP nomination battle in 2012---will he then get pistol whipped into making Romney or Palin (or Jeb Bush) his running mate, as the establishment forced Reagan into choosing Bush in 1980? If he doesn't, will the Rockefeller/countryclub/neocon Republicans walk out of the convention, as they did to Goldwater in 1964?

Obama picked Biden as his running mate rather than the popular Hillary Clinton and still managed to win. I don't see why Paul would HAVE to pick a Romney or Palin.

 

[parocks]

Some of that 6% has even stronger unfavorables about Obama.

If Ron Paul was the Republican nominee, he would get many votes from people who have an unfavorable opinion about him, because those people have a much more unfavorable opinion about Obama.

The main takeaway from this particular poll is that Obama is unpopular.

Did we commission this poll?

No matter what, it's a detailed Obama vs Paul poll which shows them tied. It provides interesting data. It also provides a counter argument to any allegation that Paul couldn't beat Obama.

But if Rasmussen swapped out Ron Paul and swapped in any well known or fairly well known Republican, 42-41 Obama vs generic Republican is what I'd expect.

6% of Republicans have strong unfavorables of him.

So that means those loudmouths who hate and hate on the internet about him are those 6%, and the other 94% we can reach.

 

[Morgan Brykein]

I have a feeling that most people who describe themselves as moderates, and a sizable numer of people who describe themselves as conservative, could be described as libertarian. Remember that there are a lot of non-voters, many of which feel disenfranchised by the current system.

 

[speciallyblend]

CPAC, SRLC, now this. No where for Republicans leaders to hide now. Paul polls better against the president than any of the GOP rivals, so there's no way to call him marginal anymore. If Paul is virtually tied with Obama now, before any campaign has started, he will annihilate him in election season. O frabjous day, Callooh, Callay!

Democrats have no doubt been put on horrified notice given this news, and must have had a Sauron moment just now---all this while they've focused on beating up a vulnerable Palin outside the gates of Mordor, only to realize that Paul has reached the Crack of Doom! Dems will be cranking up a demonization campaign against him big time, watch out.

Lately, I've been having the thought about what happens when/if Paul wraps up winning the GOP nomination battle in 2012---will he then get pistol whipped into making Romney or Palin (or Jeb Bush) his running mate, as the establishment forced Reagan into choosing Bush in 1980? If he doesn't, will the Rockefeller/countryclub/neocon Republicans walk out of the convention, as they did to Goldwater in 1964?

I hear you but the quickest way for Ron Paul 2012 to lose my vote is palin or romney. Ron Paul will choose his running mate not the gop establishment!!

I highly doubt he will pick romney or palin(yeah i have heard folks say palin was on ron pauls vp list last time) but if Ron Paul wants to WIN. I highly doubt palin or romney would be his choice to much baggage!!

I am highly motivated for Ron Paul but those other 2 options woulde seize my engines to a halt!!

 

[speciallyblend]

Reactions from two of my co-workers.

Persons A and B - Huge Obama supporters. They were happy that Ron Paul polled so well against Obama when I told them. Both said they're sick of the wars and that they like "some of his ideas" like "coming home from all over the world" and that "we don't need to be there because we create more terrorists". However, they were concerned that he was pro-life and very anxious about the term "states rights". They also said "The GOP will never let him get close enough, so do you think he will run third party?".

Person C - Huge neo-conservative who was a pretty big McCain supporter after being dissatisfied with choices provided during 2008 Primary. Likely a loyal FoxNews reader, and we engaged in playful banner over RP. In 2008, she indicated national security was her biggest concern, and that RP "blames America". Despite discussions, I could not get her to see it from RP's perspective. Today, I told her that every other GOP candidate is crushed by 10% while RP brings Obama all the way down to 42%. She said "that's sad" but then was obviously thinking and seemed puzzled by the fact that only RP could defeat Obama according to the slew of recent polls. I said "I know you're not the world's biggest Paul fan, but the general sentiment of the country is changing, slowly, but surely, and RP would be better than Obama, wouldn't he?". She acknowledged that to be true, and I left it at that.

I think 75% of the neo-conservatives are unconvertible, unfortunately. I would really love to see RP win the GOP nomination, but I just know they'll screw him if he decides to run. What I'm REALLY curious about is how Obama/Biden vs. Romney/Huckabee vs. Paul/VP would turn out, poll-wise. Is the country's mood just right that a third party candidate could win for the first time in modern US history?

GOP, I am fully aboard if Ron Paul and only Ron Paul is the nominee. If anyone else is the nominee, you can guarantee my vote goes elsewhere.

+1 Ron Paul 2012 with or without the gop. we played nice for many yrs. the only ones to blame if Ron Paul runs indy is the failed gop establishment!!

my eyes are wide open being a republican i have seen the problem isnot obama but the failed gop leadership and their unethical and back room tactics. The only think stopping Ron Paul is the corruption within the gop!!

 

[tpreitzel]

Actually, if Ron Paul ever received the nomination as the GOP's candidate for POTUS, he'd demolish Obama to a point not seen in recent history.

 

[KramerDSP]

User Comment Reactions to Rasmussen Poll

I do this post every once in a while where I pick middle-of-the-road quotes to try and get a general feel for where people stand on things. I try to avoid the blatant RP supporters and bashers, but I add them if I think the comment stands out.

USA TODAY

Siggs (76 friends, send message) wrote: 4h 45m ago
I don't agree with everything Ron Paul thinks, but I do believe that this country needs someone actually willing to shake up the political world.

Man, I would love to see a debate between Ron Paul and Obama. An actual debate too, not the sound-byte ridden televised schlock that most electoral debates have become.

I hope Ron Paul gets more press. The ideas he’s talking about is something that deserves national discussion and debate, and I would vote for him as our President in a heartbeat. Go Ron Paul.

The public is waking up to the game that the rich and powerful are playing with our democracy. The republicans can get behind Paul's policies, or they will be left behind at the polls again. We are sick of the perennial choice between Dem's and Dem Lite's.

Ron Paul is not a great speaker but his message is what we need.

VincentBracco (1 friends, send message) wrote: 4h 29m ago
Its about time ..Hopefully the major news media will pay attention to Ron Paul now instead of black ball him ..Even Hannity black balled him last year. They are all afraid of him ..Go Ron

Senorita Bonita (0 friends, send message) wrote: 4h 5m ago
Should any one with an iota of sense believe R Paul will receive a national POTUS victory, please relinqluish your homosapien cards.

dslovejoy (0 friends, send message) wrote: 3h 53m ago
I always equated Ron Paul with Ross Perot. Very passionate, with many great ideas that could help the country, but don't have a snowballs chance in hell of being allowed to win the race.
Too much money going against them, including the federal reserve.
Ron Paul has stated, as I remember it, that the first thing he was going to do was abolish the IRS and the Federal Reserve. He was going to get rid of Social Security, and many other "radical" ideas that mainstream America is afraid of hearing.
Personally, I think many of his ideas should be implemented. IRS was created to fund a war. The government found that they like the extra spending money and made it permanant. He expects politicians to be accountable and responsible. Go figure.

Vickie803 (0 friends, send message) wrote: 3h 39m ago
I am one Democrat who will vote for him.

bookwerm (0 friends, send message) wrote: 3h 29m ago
I like Ron Paul and would have voted for him instead of Obama if he had made it to the voting booth.

I am not a fun of the nuts running the GOP. They say no, never paid for the stupid Bush tax cuts (GOD Bush sucked). All their talk of smaller government and balanced budgets is just that, talk.... look at what they really do, you will see they lie all the time, and try to help the rich. NOT what I think the party should be, .. they should stay out of the social engineering issues, and work on just fiscal ones.. respect that tax increases are necessary, same way that real people get a second job to pay bills, we need to fix our budget, and go back to pre Bush tax rates.

I personally am socially liberal and financially conservative, want good banking regulation (creates solid foundation for our economic system) that takes risk out of banking, legalize most everything and tax it.
They are going on and on about abortion, not facing up to our broken health care system, indicates to me the GOP is dead nuts.

However Ron Paul talks to the real issues, about the money, and the games, and how to fix it, and I like that.

Dar (41 friends, send message) wrote: 2h 37m ago
Ron Paul has the right ideas--whether he runs or gets nominated or not.

I can't sing, but if there is a polite and heart moving Ron Paul song, I will try to learn.

Last, but not least, our very own Josh Lowry!

JoshLowry (0 friends, send message) wrote: 3h 57m ago
We are getting an early start with a whole network of activists already in place.

This time around it is going to be different. I imagine the first money bomb will be more like a money nuke!

Come join us at http://www.RonPaulForums.com

 

[Peace&Freedom]

I hear you but the quickest way for Ron Paul 2012 to lose my vote is palin or romney. Ron Paul will choose his running mate not the gop establishment!!

I highly doubt he will pick romney or palin(yeah i have heard folks say palin was on ron pauls vp list last time) but if Ron Paul wants to WIN. I highly doubt palin or romney would be his choice to much baggage!!

I am highly motivated for Ron Paul but those other 2 options woulde seize my engines to a halt!!

I'm not worrying so much about Paul compromising, as I am about the neocon/NWO GOP bolting at the convention. Unlike the Democrats, who go with their nominee no matter how divisive the primary battle, the Republican leadership ACTUALLY DID walkout on Goldwater and withdrew support for him for the election campaign, and threatened to do the same to Reagan. They were willing to lose a whole election cycle to get their Rockerfeller acolyte elected later. Will they do so again?

 

[specsaregood]

I'm not worrying so much about Paul compromising, as I am about the neocon/NWO GOP bolting at the convention. Unlike the Democrats, who go with their nominee no matter how divisive the primary battle, the Republican leadership ACTUALLY DID walkout on Goldwater and withdrew support for him for the election campaign, and threatened to do the same to Reagan. They were willing to lose a whole election cycle to get their Rockerfeller acolyte elected later. Will they do so again?

I woudn't worry about it. You gotta remember Dr. Paul was the leader of the Reagan delegation at the 76 convention, going against the establishment pick of Ford.

On that note, I'm still pushing my suggestion of Dr. Paul running his primary campaign having already named a VP mate and even his full cabinet.

 

[specsaregood]

Forget all this Beck talk, I bet Jason Lewis says something positive about it tonight.

keep us posted on that. I am busy making Snowballs Reserves

I was correct. First 15 minutes of the show. But he likes Dr. Paul, so unsurprising.

 

[DaninPA]

We need an ad with the clip of RP saying (from memory, may not be exact):

"I don't want to be president to run your lives, I don't want to be president to run the economy, and I don't want to be president to run the world!"

Dan

 

[KramerDSP]

I'm not worrying so much about Paul compromising, as I am about the neocon/NWO GOP bolting at the convention. Unlike the Democrats, who go with their nominee no matter how divisive the primary battle, the Republican leadership ACTUALLY DID walkout on Goldwater and withdrew support for him for the election campaign, and threatened to do the same to Reagan. They were willing to lose a whole election cycle to get their Rockerfeller acolyte elected later. Will they do so again?

If they do that, we hold the nuclear option. Third Party. And that would be the straw that broke the Camel's back for Ron, IMHO. Also, Rand, if elected, will already be in the Senate for another 5 years, and would not suffer the blowback.

Look, I'm a diehard Ron Paul supporter. I want the country to listen to the man and his ideas and debate them amongst themselves. No more false left/right paradigm as others have stated earlier. I want to be clear that I am for Ron Paul 2012 through the GOP by all means necessary! I feel that represents the best chance for Paul in terms of the General Election. I'm wondering what happens in the debates now in terms of whether every question will continue to be loaded and how much time he will be allowed to respond compared to other candidates.

But I also want to be clear that if the GOP tries the same crap they pulled in 2007, fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, to hell with you. The only real conservative is right there in front of you, and he's the only one actually BRINGING people into the GOP, however diverse they are. We all know that RP is the Grand Uniter. And I must admit that I suspect America would much better place if the GOP/DNC were both weakened by a Third Party win that shocks the world.

 

[ninepointfive]

If the GOP doesn't nominate Paul to run for president in 2012, we will take our ball and go make the TEA PARTY for real.

We have this much power! It's only a matter of convincing others. Looks like all the stats are in our favor and growing. I'm so happy. Yes, holding back tears of joy.