There’s a new NBC/WSJ poll out today that has lots of interesting numbers. A stunning 76% of respondents say they want a president who brings a different approach than Bush. Democrats lead by double digits in a generic presidential contests. Confusingly, McCain only trails Obama by 3 points and Clinton by two, but that’s likely because, according to the poll, many independents and Democrats have bought the spoon-fed Maverick myth. A little reeducating by the Democrats in the fall should drive McCain closer to the results of a “generic Republican.”
Half of respondents think leadership style and trustworthiness are the most important attributes in a candidate, while just one-third prioritize ideas and policies. That’s good news for Obama, because on almost every issue polled, Clinton is seen as the better candidate.
Bill Clinton’s favorability/unfavorability ratings have plummeted to a net negative: 42%/45%. It’s pretty undeniable that this election has tarnished his legacy.
And finally, there is evidence Obama is not making progress in his fight to clear up confusion about his faith. Here’s MSNBC:
The percentage of respondents who correctly identified Obama as a Christian increased from 18% to 37%. But those identifying him as a Muslim also increased five points (from 8% to 13%).
