Catfight!
I’ll add only that of course Patrick’s poll is not methodologically sound, and for lots of reasons. Still, doesn’t his poll tell us something about how Republicans — or at least Internet-savvy Republicans — are sizing up the 2008 presidential contenders? I think it does.
Patrick’s poll shows Rudy Giuliani the early favorite among a plurality (30%) of the participants. (Condi Rice leads among the “fantasy” candidates.) Now I don’t know whether he’ll end up with the nomination, but does anybody really doubt that, for whatever it’s worth, Rudy is indeed the frontrunner, at least for now? Frankly, I don’t think the core results of Patrick’s poll tell us anything surprising, or even new. The former mayor of New York is a 9/11 hero with national name recognition and a reputation as a law-and-order conservative and social moderate. Anyone who thinks such a man can’t pull a third of the GOP primary vote doesn’t know many Republicans.
ADDED — In case it’s not clear from the text of the post, good blogging ethics require that I disclose my bias. I voted in Patrick’s poll. For Rudy Giuliani.
Well, I like Rudy, but I don’t want him anywhere near the White House, or Congress, for that matter. The last thing we need are more gun-grabbing Republicans.
What we really need to start seeing are conservative/libertarian bloggers interviewing and questioning all potential Republican candidates. Part of the problem with poll numbers is that most people are not familiar with many of these people except as a name.
I want details, past voting records, etc. I want to know as much as possible about any and all candidates so I can make an informed decision.
Newt Gingrich is all over the airwaves. In George Allen’s case, most of the people I’ve talked to don’t even know who he is.
I thought Patrick’s poll showed two things - people’s choices seem to reflect the locality and also their blog reading habits.
I hope the blogosphere really gets behind in-depth reviews of all candidates. That would truly be a one-upsmanship over the MSM.