Poll Shows Big Support for Obama/Clinton Ticket

May 12, 2008— -- Forget the pundits.

A new ABC News/ Washington Post poll shows Democrats are in no hurry for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., to quit the Democratic presidential race.

As the former first lady's money and superdelegates have slipped away -- and as Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., seems to have all but locked up the nomination -- there's been talk that she should get out of the race. But most Democrats don't think so.

ABC's Chief Washington Correspondent George Stephanopoulos talked with "World News" anchor Charlie Gibson about support for Clinton to fight on, and the possibility of the "dream ticket".

CHARLES GIBSON: One of the things we asked is presuming Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee, who should he pick as his vice president? Should he pick Hillary Clinton?

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: She is the clear frontrunner in that way, Charlie.

Thirty-nine percent of Democrats say that she should be Barack Obama's pick for runningmate. And among all of voters, there's some sign that they think that might actually help the ticket. About 25 percent of Americans say they will be more likely to vote for the ticket if Hillary Clinton was in the number two slot.

CHARLES GIBSON: The answers to the questions, though, show how much of an uphill battle {presumptive Repubilcan presidential nominee Arizona Sen.} John McCain has to win the general election.

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: It really is.

And two numbers really tell the tale, Charlie.

Number one is President Bush's approval rating - it's at 31 percent, a career low. You also have 82 percent of Americans feel free thinking that the country in going in the wrong direction. You haven't seen numbers that high since 1973. And no incumbent party has ever held the White House in the face of numbers like that - which is one reason why Sen. McCain to show he's going in a different direction from President Bush. He was out talking about climate change today, in a very different position from President Bush.

CHARLES GIBSON: And at this stage, how about an Obama - presuming he's the nominee - McCain match up?

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Barack Obama is pulling ahead now, outside of the margin of error of our poll. Fifty-one percent pick Barack Obama, 44 percent say their picking John McCain.

And another big hurdle that Sen. McCain has here is his age.

About Thirty-nine percent of Americans are uncomfortable with the idea of electing a President for the first time at the age of 72.

That's more than twice as many who are uncomfortable with the idea of an African American president.

More than twice as may who are uncomfortable with the idea of a woman president.

And the McCain campaign knows they have to address this. They think they can address this by showing vigor of the campaign trail; and they're also going to be releasing his medical records on May 23.