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January 09, 2008
It was the economy, stupid
Posted by: Chris
Voters in both primaries yesterday in New Hampshire listed the economy as their No. 1 concern, a bit of a surprise in a campaign dominated by themes like "change vs. experience," the war in Iraq and terrorism. Hillary did best among voters most focused on the economy, as well as those most worried about their own financial situation.
Those who felt they were "getting ahead" (14 percent) went for Obama by 17 points; those who were holding steady (57 percent) split evenly; and those who felt like they were falling behind (28 percent) chose Clinton by 10 points.
Why would Hillary do best with these voters? My guess is because they remembered the administration of her husband in the 1990s as times of economic prosperity. In New Hampshire, at least, it still is the economy, stupid.
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Comments
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who is commander in chief? It's not going to be a pretty ad.
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Andoni on Jan 9, 2008 3:11:32 PM:
Here's the most baffling and frustrating point for me from yesterday's exit polls:
Democrats felt that Obama was more electable in the general election than Clinton, yet those same Democrats overwhelmingly voted for Clinton. So what's going on here, continuation of the Democratic suicide wish? Obeying orders from the Party machine and not thinking for oneself?
Maybe a little of both, but to vote against ones own best chance of survival (or winning) in the general election must take a very strong force..... and that force must have been anger.
It was probably anger at how the media kept playing Hillary's weak moment of near tears over and over. It was probably anger at the media and talking heads, writing her obituary and dancing on her grave. I don't support Hillary, but I too was beginning to feel a bit sorry for this woman. No one deserves to go down that way. She would have had no dignity, and I think women came to her rescue to preserve some dignity for her.
Parenthetically, should Hillary become the nominee, I can see some Swift Boat like "527" playing the video of her choking up over and over and asking Americans if this is the tough resolve we want the world (and particularly the terrorists) to see in our leader --- as the person who is commander in chief? It's not going to be a pretty ad.