. . . until the New Hampshire primary.
Democracy for America, the organization that grew out of Howard Dean's 2004 campaign, recently polled its members as to whom they support for President in 2008. Here are the results:
Barack Obama: 28.1%
John Edwards: 24.6%
Other: 12.4%
Dennis Kucinich: 10.3%
Hillary Clinton: 8.7%
Bill Richardson: 7.6%
Undecided: 4.9%
Joseph Biden: 1.9%
Christopher Dodd: 0.5%
Mike Gravel: 0.3%
This poll was not scientifically conducted and is hardly representative of the attitudes of Democrats as a whole. Nevertheless, it does tell us something interesting about the P2008 race.
The similarity of the numbers for Obama and Edwards explains why Clinton is leading in the legitimate polls of all Democrats. The more progressive side of the party is divided, while the less progressive side is united. Yesterday, during the run-up to the announcement about Edwards' wife's cancer, I couldn't help thinking that while I'd be sorry if Edwards dropped out, at least that might solidify progressive Democratic voters around Obama. Of course, if Obama dropped out, Edwards would largely benefit. Right now, however, the existence of both men in the race is a major factor in Clinton's lead.
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