Obama Gains On Health Care, A Little, In New Hampshire

Buried in the latest CNN/WMUR poll of New Hampshire is this intriguing stat:

On the question of which candidate would do a better job on health care, Clinton has always led. But in a month that saw Clinton deride Obama's plan for its lack of a mandate, the gap has narrowed by 16 points. All the other issues were relatively static.

Still, Clinton has a sizable, 21-pt advantage. But perhaps the increased attention to Obama's plan helped Democrats become more familiar with it.

BTW: 40% of New Hampshire voters say they're undecided and only 4% claim they'll be influenced by Iowa...

Comments

Marc, do you think that Obama has gained enough good will in NH and SC to survive a second place showing in Iowa? Or will it all evaporate if he doesn't finish in first in Iowa or comes in second to Clinton and not Edwards?

Posted by Rhoda | December 19, 2007 12:58 PM

I do not buy anything that CNN says or does. After all one of their newsreaders Alina Cho On their American Morning show called Senator Barack Obama Osama on Monday. Many did not catch it but I did.

Posted by Alicia | December 19, 2007 1:30 PM

Yeah...I don't trust CNN.
I use to watch CNN all the times, but not anymore.
I briefly watch the Situation Room, Anderson Coopers...but I must agree with Dick Morris that CNN has boring anchors.
To the exceptions of Larry King.

I rather watch Chris Mathews hardball show and Sean Hannity and Alan...just for laugh. I like the way Sean bashes Hillary.

Posted by msnz911 | December 19, 2007 2:05 PM

Don't be lame, people. All Obama needs to do is win Iowa nad he'll easily win NH.

Posted by Democrats Against Hillary | December 19, 2007 2:08 PM

I can understand Obama gaining if folks look at his healthcare plan. The number one reason being Obama does not FORCE folks to get healthcare he simply makes it affordable.

Americans hate mandates.

Posted by vicissitude | December 19, 2007 2:09 PM

CNN ALWAYS SUPORT THE CLINTONS NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS AND THEY ALWAYS ON THE SUPPORT OF HER SO DONT TRUST THEM ON POLITICS ESPECIALLY ON DEMOCRATS SIDE

GO OBAMA 08

Posted by jimmy , bolingbrook, IL | December 19, 2007 2:11 PM

Hillary has already tried and failed to win healthcare reform, even with Bill in office. Now she has even more detractors that will vehemently try to defeat her. We need the Uniter, Obama, and not the Divider, Hillary, in there to get this done. His plan is more common sensical and realistic.Obama will win Iowa by a wider margin than anyone expects then he will take New hampshire and So. Carolina. After that all those holding back now, will see that he CAN win, and we will hit critical mass. Just watch and see !

Posted by eSPO | December 19, 2007 2:33 PM

So the media is really going to ignore the 700 pound BLACK gorilla in the room? Are we going to pretend as if Shaheen's racist attack on Obama doesn't account for this sudden turn around for Clinton in NH? For months, the media has completely ignored the story of the impact race will have on this race.

IA and NH are two of the statistically whitest states in the country. Senator Obama was facing an uphill battle to begin with, but the climb has become even more daunting now that he has been smeared as a drug dealing muslim manchurian candidate. Why is the MSM so willing to dismiss this as politics as usual? Forgive me for thinking that the Dixicrat era was over and that such racist attacks were no longer acceptable politics as usual.

I'm certainly not asserting that White folks in IA or NH are racist by virtue of their 'lilly white' existance, but I do think it makes them far more easily influenced by such racist fear mongerring. We are inundated with media images of exaggerated Black male criminality every single day. It's not unreasonable to think this would resonate in states with an almost all White population where they don't see a daily counter-balance.

At the very least, reaction from the Black Community should be getting more media attention, and for the record, we ain't happy about this BS!: http://jackandjillpolitics.blogspot.com/2007/12/bob-kerrey-on-barack-obama-modest.html

Posted by NMP | December 19, 2007 2:40 PM

No fear NMP. Common sense will beat out the politics of ignorance, Watch and see.

Posted by espo | December 19, 2007 3:51 PM

The first poster is right: If many independents and Republicans are going to back Obama, why can't all Democrats. Have we really not learned anything based on '04, when poll driven, triangluation drove us to an easy defeat? Besides even if Hillary wins, her divisiveness will drive the congress right back to a Republican majority. We have seen her campaign and how vindictive and petty they are. And you think they won't keep score when they (using they on purpose)win?

Posted by Jimmy | December 19, 2007 4:15 PM

That's why I always laugh when I hear about black leaders supporting the CLintons. THey're modern day slave masters.

Posted by Nate | December 19, 2007 5:58 PM

Excellent question, Rhoda. I think if Obama is close to Clinton, then he can survive losing Iowa. But conventional wisdom does seem to be pointing toward a different impression. Hopefully he'll win Iowa, and we'll never have to find out.

Jimmy - to me, its simple. Republicans tend to vote for the Republican and Democrats tend to vote for the Democrat. Independents decide elections.

Sure, there's some crossover. And the party more energized for the race usually wins close elections (like all our presidential elections have been for a while). But still, much of it is in the hands of independents.

If Democrats want to win, pick the one who has demonstrated an ability to attract independents. Don't pick a polarizing candidate.

Posted by Paul | December 19, 2007 7:25 PM

I have compiled every Iowa poll available at pollster.com

http://www.pbase.com/image/90553041/original

The image shows trends per pollster, useful to see how candidates move when the same methodology is applied. Only requirement is that each pollster has published more than one poll in Iowa.

Barack leads in 6/8 polls showing clear upward momentum now at the most critical time. Rasmussen and Zogby are the only two polling firms that show Hillary edging Barack. Edwards remaining competitive and showing no movement, Richardson seems to be losing some support as the big 3 squeeze the lower tier candidates.

Posted by yiannis | December 19, 2007 7:30 PM

Barack Obama for President of The United States of America.

It's time for America to Rise and Shine again.

Posted by PulSamsara | December 19, 2007 7:59 PM

Media coverage for Obama has been overwhelmingly positive much manufactured by reporters, but fails to inspire, suggested divisiveness in Washington stems from struggle of 1960s. that’s naïve. national crisis when Americans come together, politics has always been a divisive affair. Obama Has Not Won a Tough Contest, his ability to win in a difficult contest is reason for concern. Republicans will eat him alive ask John Kerry, Al Gore, or Michael Dukakis. Obama can't hope for change; you must fight for it. His first opponent, Jim Ryan, pulled out of the contest following the release of details from divorce. Obama has only faced ONE difficult battle for Congress against Rep. Bobby Rush. receiving only 30% and lost. Obama's inexperience hurt him.

His speech opposing Iraq war "I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars. War protesters have not been able to count on him, during his ballyhooed speech at the 04 Dem convention; he failed to decry the war, followed form and strongly supported John Kerry. When asked how he would have voted on Iraq resolution, don’t know said Obama. Since arriving in the Senate, Obama and Clinton have had identical votes on Iraq. His health plan, lacks a universal mandate, echoing his conservative peers, insists Social Security is crisis that needs immediate attention, not true, Social Security Trust Fund would run out 2046.

Obama Takes Black Voters for Granted, when a controversy erupted over the Jena Six. Obama chose not to take up the mantle of past civil rights leaders by not joining the Jena Six protest, Jesse Jackson (Obama supporter) said he's acting like he's white. Was a unique moment for Obama to show support for the black community, but didnt. Now he must explain to Democratic voters why he doesn't want to continue the fights of the 1960s -- included battles over civil rights, the antiwar movement, expansion of Social Security and expanding health care (Medicare). This is not the time for obama

Posted by llandiss | December 19, 2007 8:02 PM

Obama not only wants to hear opposing views, he demands it. Thats the greatest strength of a consensus builder, comfortable in his position, respectful. On that alone he has my vote

Posted by Celine | December 19, 2007 8:52 PM

"The first poster is right: If many independents and Republicans are going to back Obama, why can't all Democrats."

Speaking as a Republican, there's no way in hell I'd ever support Obama. Everyone keeps talking about his great vision and the "change" he will bring. It's a bunch of horseshit. As far as I can tell the only thing Obama stands for is higher taxes and kissing the asses of illegal aliens. He's a clown and he will never get anywhere near the white house.

Posted by Steve | December 19, 2007 9:05 PM

Speaking as veteran from Iraq war that Hillary voted for, I will vote for Barack or Edwards. Obama pulls more Repub. and independents than any other democracts, a plus in the general election. By the way Steve, we don't expect Obama to get all repubs votes and don't smear him on hiking taxes none like taxes but rational people understand that we need to pay taxes for the government to provide some services to us; police, parks, armed forces, public schools etc. Onother point, Hillary shame on you and Bill for sending your people to smear Barack using racism! How dare you pretend to be progressive at the same time act like KKK? Are you that hungry for power? As a vet I will never vote for Hillary either primary or general election. And also shame on all so called black leaders who never cared for anyone but themselves, Andrew Young, John Lewis, Jess Jackson sr, Al Sharpton, keep kissing Bill and Hillary asses when it comes election the black community will show you that you don't decide for them. Viva Edwards, Barack, Biden and Dodd, the really democrats! La guerre continue!

Posted by jeanba | December 20, 2007 10:46 AM

Jeanba....I gaurentee you that Obama will never be president.

Posted by Steve | December 20, 2007 2:34 PM

llandiss says: "Now he must explain to Democratic voters why he doesn't want to continue the fights of the 1960s -- included battles over civil rights, the antiwar movement, expansion of Social Security and expanding health care (Medicare). This is not the time for obama"

Why don't we want to continue the fights from the '60's? Gee, I don't know. Maybe b/c its about to be 2008! Move on, already.

Posted by KevinA | December 20, 2007 3:07 PM