By Nitya

Nov 20, 2007 8:33am

You Gotta Want It

In case you missed it, a new ABC News poll shows that Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, has pulled ahead in Iowa (LINK) aided in part by voter doubts about the honesty and forthrightness of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY.

On the GOP side, supporters of the man who was to be the conservative savior of his party have a little buyer’s remorse. CQ reports that House Republicans who endorsed former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., are regretting it.

"I think he’s kind of done a belly flop," said one. "We’ll just wait till after Feb. 5 because I think he’s going to get beat."

"He seems to be perpetuating it instead of defeating it," added another. "I can’t see me bailing on him, but there’s some frustration."

Congress overall isn’t faring too well in the public mind, Gallup reports, with "only one in five Americans approving of the job Congress is doing at this time…among the lowest (rating) that Gallup has ever measured dating back to 1974."

Obama v Clinton…Thompson’s energy….your view of Congress…SHARE!

– jt

User Comments

You’re drooling on the poll numbers. Personally, I checked out on Obama. He won’t win a general election; he may want it (as the title connotes), but he doesn’t have the mettle, in this voter’s opinion. I’d like to see MSM focus on the other candidates, like Dodd. As for Thompson, I couldn’t be happier that he’s a big nothing. Thanks for playing, Senator.

Posted by: cordelia525 | November 20, 2007, 9:00 am 9:00 am

Honesty is a quality Hillary is lacking she has had a very good teacher, her husband one of Americas biggest liers.

Posted by: William Ellison | November 20, 2007, 9:01 am 9:01 am

Freddie Dalton Thompson in Iowa:
Well, we uh got to keep on doing the things that work, and uh…….. we got quit doing things that …..don’t work.”
Crowd: tepid applause.

Posted by: The Commander Guy | November 20, 2007, 9:03 am 9:03 am

Cordelia525,
You are sadly mistaken. Obama is the only hope of Democrats regaining the white house. He will have the mantle when he wins Iowa and if you are trying to suggest that Obama won’t when because he is African-American, then you have the opinion of a very small minority.
Obama “08″

Posted by: Carl | November 20, 2007, 9:12 am 9:12 am

Carl,
Oh please. I give the american people more credit than that. I base my opinion upon Obama’s performance during the debates and, in part, on the trail. And, less obvious, the way he’s managed his campaign – things get botched, blame the underlings. Competence is a litmus test for me, and I’m not sure he has it. And I like what he stands for. So if he makes me nervous, I’m thinking he’s going to make the general electorate nervous too.

Posted by: cordelia525 | November 20, 2007, 9:25 am 9:25 am

Cordelia525,
Talk about debate performance. He has answered every question that has been asked of him. He gave honest answers weather or not you agreed with them. He did not base his answers on what was popular at the time nor did answers question based on poll number. He has managed his campaign very effectively. I notice you requested more focus on Dodds campaign, which is fine. Think about this though, who is the only candidate giving Hillary Heart Burn and making her dish out more campaign cash “Obama”. Frankly, if Obama was not in this Presidential race, Hillary would hands down be the nominee. You speak of competence; Obama has competed professionally and respectfully against the “Clinton Machine” Just check out the new “ABC Iowa Poll”. Cordelia525 I think you could be a potential Obama supporter, if you are provided with the right facts.

Posted by: Carl | November 20, 2007, 9:54 am 9:54 am

Carl,
Wrong. Obama is sucking Dodd and Biden’s oxygen, not Clinton’s.

Posted by: cordelia525 | November 20, 2007, 10:06 am 10:06 am

Obama believes we should talk to those with disagree with. It’s been wonderful, have a great day cordelia525.

Posted by: Carl | November 20, 2007, 10:11 am 10:11 am

I would love to see Kucinich vs Ron Paul and watch the political machines do the funky chicken, like karl rove and david gregory danced at the whitewash house press gala. Any democrat is likely to win and Hillary might be the closest the failed repubs can come to. The MAINSCREAMS need a close one to hug on and a landslide really is not their cup of tea. I would love Obama over Hillary becasue Hillary will cover for things like the 911 commission and iraq profiteering and the war lie, etc. I loved Clintons 2 terms, know he was attacked everyday by the right wing hack machine, and was set up in a deposition to solicit the lie, then used by the cabal…sen helms and sen faircloth…the rutherford inst…judge david sentelle…etal. ERGO

Posted by: daddy | November 20, 2007, 10:19 am 10:19 am

OK Lets see Fred is giving straight answers, not incoherent ones like the libs do all the time, and some of the Republicans. Then he said he does not have energy, What you want someone who can sit there and have a long speech of issues that are simple?
I loved it when he was asked a question and he responded NO!, and everybody was like anything else, we need a realleader, not one that contemplates and pols the ideas.
Give me a yes/no person anyday.
As far as Obama, does it make a difference who gets the lib nomination, they are all the same, no differences, all socialists.

Posted by: spock | November 20, 2007, 11:41 am 11:41 am

I’ve seen some people calling Hillary, ‘Bush Lite’. Well, Thompson seems to be ‘Hillary Lite’–he seems to think he’s entitled to votes by smiling, giving fluff answers with no substance, and refusing to give specific policy positions. The ‘Lite” part of Fred is that he won’t be the ‘heavy’. He doesn’t use threats, innuendos, and character assasination like Hillary does. His fall says alot about him, but more about Hillary. The only way to win by being nice in public is to be vicious and cynical in private, and keep it a secret. Fred’s–uh—–jowls——just aren’t as big as Hillary’s. But, the secret of Hillary’s success is coming out, and that will be bad for her. Ironic, I think, that Hillary says she’s got a secret about Obama, but the biggest secret is Hillary herself.

Posted by: SteveW | November 20, 2007, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm

Republicans choose to elect politicians who are excellent at lying, to the point of being psychopathic (“…a condition characterised by lack of empathy or conscience, poor impulse control and manipulative behaviors.”). Hence their penchant for actors.
The more progressive Democrats support people who are truly trying to improve our country and have us be responsible as a nation. Keener minds is what we see in the entire field of Democratic presidential hopefuls.
To accomplish anything, one must be elected. To be elected, one must appeal to the center, which requires both compromise and an open mind. Smart people with open minds are unable to give terse answers to complex problems.
Actors with rehearsed lines will appear more compelling. Obama, whom I like, has nonetheless been given, and/or has developed a script to attack Hillary. Fresh ideas, indeed!
I hope they heal the rift. I’d like to see a Clinton-Obama ticket.

Posted by: Angel | November 20, 2007, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm

I have no doubts about Clinton’s honesty.
She isn’t honest. No doubt about it.

Posted by: Bruce | November 20, 2007, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm

I WOULD NOT BUY A USED TOILET SEAT FROM MRS. CLINTON. OBANA AND EDWARDS APPEAR AT FIRST GLANCE TO GIVE STRAIGHT ANSWERS AND FRED JUST NEEDS TO GO BACK TO LAW AND ORDER ON TV. WE NEED A CHANGE NOT ALONG PARTY LINES AS, INTEGRITY HAS NO POLITICAL CONSCIENCE.

Posted by: PAT | November 20, 2007, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm

A test for you libs – Angel take the test twice -
1 – What Liberties do the Lib Politicians want to protect
2 – A: In the Eight years Hilary was President in the 90′s what has she done?
B: If she could not do anything then what makes you think she will do anything in 08′
3 – How many people voted for the Libs in the last 3 elections alone from beyond the Grave?
4 – Which Political Party wants to destroy our traditions and Language?
5 – Which party thinks people making only over 15,000 a year are rich?
6 – Which Party is bought and Controlled by George Soro’s Move-on
7 – Which party wants to take away your right to vote and give it to illegals?
8 – If Obama is so expierenced why could he not answer the same question Hillary failed 2 weks earlier?
9 – If the Libs claim that the majority of Americans want out (Clue this is a lie from them) of Iraq and that is why they are pushing it, then why is it that with 85% of Americans are against amnesty for Illegals do they still attempt to sneak it in?
10 – Do you believe in Life Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness?
Answers to follow!

Posted by: spock | November 20, 2007, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm

Where’s the doubt she’s the biggest liar since her lying husband!

Posted by: geddesman | November 20, 2007, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm

Are the republicans left with youngsters with bad spelling and little logic, as evidenced here on this blog, as their last best hope before their tide goes out? The MAINSCREAMS need a close election as landslides turn them a bit sheepish. Now Bush pumps Hillary knowing she is the only Democrat they can even think about beating, and even that is likely a fleeting thought.

Posted by: daddy | November 20, 2007, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm

A test for you libs – Angel take the test twice -
1 – What Liberties do the Lib Politicians want to protect
……………….Liberties of ALL, Libs AND Conservatives alike!………2 – A: In the Eight years Hilary was President in the 90′s what has she done?
…………………Hillary was not President, her husband was. He kept gas prices reasonable, Middle east was quiet, people weren’t AFRAID to vote against him, THE WORLD LIKED AMERICANS!………The rest of your postings are just rantings, I’m surprised you didn’t know Bill was President!

Posted by: able | November 20, 2007, 9:48 pm 9:48 pm

we’ve had 7 years of the most corrupt administration in the history of the country and yet the ‘liberal’ media has time to go after the honesty of a liberal candidate. Go Figure!
Spock, I know that being a good ditto head is more important than your country and your neighbors, good job twisting our values. Bush is the one pushing the hardest to keep the illegals in the country, slave labor for his corporate cronies.

Posted by: hachidori | November 20, 2007, 9:50 pm 9:50 pm

able – See the libs want socialism that is not liberty
The middleeast was quiet? even the 9/11 commission said they were at war with us thru the 90′s, 800,000 dead, Soldiers dies in somalia Real Quiet.
The World used America thats why they liked us. oh if you have not noticed the countries in Europe are learning and electing conservatives sin their libs ran their countries into the ground.
is not Hilary using her so called expierence in the whitehouse
hachidori – FYI I do not support Bush on that issue, but it is the libs in congress now trying to sneak in Amesty behind Americas back Please give facts of the corruption, because I gave facts of Hilary’s corruption!

Posted by: spock | November 20, 2007, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm

it’s not republican vs. democrat! or democrat vs. democrat or republican vs. republican!! VOTE the issues! who’s been blocked more? any ‘humanitarian’ decision has always been favored by the democrats and some of the more progressive republicans known to their party as ‘radicals’. who do you want making the decisions about your old age or about social security or feeding people in need? it’s not their fault,but the issue with republicans is always centered around money and they can’t seem to find any when it’s needed for immediate use! the people need to know that they come first! if it needs fixing, fix it now, pay back later! it they are hungry, feed them now, settle bill later! not every issue should be “an act of congress”!!!! voting is your right! if you don’t tell them that safety for our lives and respect for them too is the most important thing in this world to all people, then you are not a humanitarian and not one of God’s people!..she’s as human as you and me!

Posted by: gwenn | November 21, 2007, 1:00 am 1:00 am

spock, you are “ranting” again, nothing you are saying has ANY basis. YOU DIDN’T EVEN KNOW BILL CLINTON WAS PRESIDENT! Get real, I don’t have to agree with you, and I definately don’t HAVE to see things your way!

Posted by: able | November 21, 2007, 1:52 am 1:52 am

I can’t take it anymore. How can anyone DARE to mention honesty regarding ANY candidate, when for the past 7 years we’ve had a “president” that 1. Stole the election that put him in power (“Thanks, Dad’s cronies~I owe ya!”) 2. Couldn’t get into a college without falling back on Dad’s laurels 3. Has a CRIMINAL record 4. Got out of serving his country (like all of his good ‘ole boy buddies & their kids did) 5. LIED about 9/11 & (illegally) got Bin Ladin & family out of the country when no one else could fly anywhere (“Sorry about that kidney your kid needed…”) 6.LIED about WMD in Iraq 7. Launched a WAR based on those lies 8. Let thousands of our troops & innocent Iraqi civilians DIE,(all the while never missing a photo op or a chance to provoke the enemy HE would never face~”Yeah! Bring it on!”) 9. Has THE most CORRUPT administration in history 10. Spent BILLIONS on weapons when we already had enough to blow-up the planet many times over 11. Was the WORST environmental president/leader in THE WORLD, & did nothing for the American people (why should he care about Social Security or anything else that concerns most Americans, he’s set for life) And so on and so forth. Add that to the fact that he’s been handed everything he’s ever had & has been bailed out every time he screws up, takes a vacation whenever he doesn’t want to deal with something, exhibits NO compassion whatsoever for anyone other than himself, and is a complete embarrassment to our country (come on, the man can’t put a sentence together!) I just can’t see where anyone would have the audacity to question another candidate’s sincerity or integrity. It’s shameful. He’s a disgrace, but republicans were so worried about Bill’s “indiscretion” that they wasted time & FBI manpower following him around like rabid dogs (when they should have been uncovering details about 9/11.) To my knowledge Gore never went hunting, got drunk, SHOT someone, & kept it to himself all day until someone ELSE finally reported it. Everyone needs to learn about & then REMEMBER the mockery Bush Jr. made of the presidency. I would love to see a Clinton/Gore ticket, or Clinton/Obama.

Posted by: Ulearn | November 21, 2007, 5:34 am 5:34 am

Gee, is Carl Rove busy or what? The election is a year away and Carl needs the money he’s out of work except for the looming thought of Carl working on the “Presidential Liebrary.” I do believe that it should be situated near his cattle ranch so that the smell of the cattle will cover up the stench of Bush Juniors tenure as “President.”

Posted by: Sandra Lea | November 21, 2007, 6:05 am 6:05 am

Lets get to the bottom line, because that’s what matters. For the last 19 years we have had a Bush or Clinton in the white house,I want CHANGE! It is time we moved on from the partisan politics and bickering from the past 19 years. We need someone that will unite the country not continue to polarize it. It’s time to look seriously at Joe Biden. Why is it the other candidates are always saying “that’s right Joe”, “Joes right” and ” I agree with Joe”. Biden has been able to find the middle ground with republicans and has worked with them on passing legislation. It’s time for another look.

Posted by: vnvet68 | November 21, 2007, 6:51 am 6:51 am

Ulearn, typical MoveOn.org hysterical rantings. It would take me through the Thanksgiving holiday to refute each and every one of your points. Instead I am going to enjoy my holiday as I have so much to be thankful for. And right at the very top…I thank God for President Bush’s courage to stand up against the terrorists; and for our troops who are on the front line fighting the terrorists so that we can continue to have the simple freedoms like expressing our opinions in blogs like this. May God continue to bless the United States of America!

Posted by: James Danley | November 21, 2007, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm

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