-- The top 5 candidates weren't a big surprise to me, since they're the only ones creating a positive buzz in the blogosphere, although I was a little surprised that Hunter beat Tancredo in the most desired category. Once you get past the top 5, the next batch of candidates is either disliked or ignored.
-- The biggest surprise in the most positive list? That would have to be Tommy Thompson's 8th place finish with 15.5 points. Granted that's not very strong, but still, I'm not sure I've heard a single soul talk up Thompson since the race started, so it's a little surprising to see him finish that high. Of course, a lot of his votes were near the end of people's lists and it could just be a case that the field is weak and the bloggers wanted someone to round out their lists. And since Thompson is better known than say Jim Gilmore or John Cox, he got the nod.
-- Republican politicians could learn a lot from Newt Gingrich, who has been slowly creeping up this list for a long time. Back in 2005, he finished 5th. Last year, he finished 4th. This time around? He took the top slot. And that's during a time when a lot of Republicans have been losing popularity with the base. That could be because of the weakness of the field, but when you see a guy like Newt, who has very high name recognition, making that kind of progress, it's probably an indication that people like his message.
-- You know, the conventional wisdom in the Senate seems to be that the war is unpopular, so it's smart to stand against it and that comprehensive immigration is the safest way to go as well. However, look at Chuck Hagel. Here's a guy who sticks to conservative orthodoxy for the most part, except on those two issues, and he finished dead dog last in this poll. That would seem to be a strong hint that the conventional wisdom may be more than a bit off kilter.
-- Here's the order of the candidates if you subtract their least desired numbers from their most desired numbers:
Newt Gingrich +52 / -13.5 = 38.5
Duncan Hunter +35.5 / -3.5 = 32
Mitt Romney 43 / -11.5 = 31.5
Rudy Giuliani +45 / -17 = 28
Tommy Thompson 15.5 / -9 = 6.5
Mike Huckabee +14 / -12 = 2
Tom Tancredo 31.5 / -30 = 1.5
Jim Gilmore +5.5 / -5.5 = 0
John Cox +4 / -4.5 = -.5
Sam Brownback +20 / -21 = -1
Ron Paul 8.5 / -10.5 = -2
John McCain +19 / -60.5 = -41.5
George Pataki 1 / -49 = -48
Chuck Hagel +1 / -64 = -63
| Rate this article: |
|
(0)
(0)
