http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/02/...ain571167.shtml

THE PREFERRED DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE

Democratic voters are looking for a candidate ideologically in the center. 43% would like to see a moderate nominee, while 27% would like the Democratic nominee to be a conservative. Less than one in five want the Democrats to nominate a liberal.

Independents - who may make the difference next fall -- are somewhat more likely than Democratic voters to want a conservative Democratic nominee.

While there is no clear consensus between Democratic and Independent voters on the positions they would like a Democratic nominee to take, they do agree in one respect: the Democratic nominee should be aggressive in challenging George W. Bush on most issues.

Two thirds of Democratic registered voters would prefer to see a Democratic nominee who would challenge George W. Bush on most issues, while just 14% want their party's nominee to seek common ground with President Bush.

Among Independents, 47% would prefer to see the Democratic nominee challenge Bush; 24% would prefer a Democratic nominee who would seek common ground with the president.

Democratic voters also prefer a nominee who opposed the war in Iraq, who would eliminate the recent Bush tax cuts, and who supports gun control.

On these issues, however, Democrats and Independents may be looking for candidates with differing positions. Independent voters are more likely to prefer a Democratic nominee who supported the war in Iraq and who would keep the recent tax cuts. But sizable groups of Democrats and Independents say positions on these issues don't matter much.

While the Democratic field seems packed with candidates, half of Democratic voters still wish there were even more; just 40% are satisfied with the current array of Democrats now in the race. Independent voters are even less likely than Democratic voters to feel satisfied with the choices on the Democratic ticket - only 33% say they are satisfied. 52% want more choices.

Among Democrats who would like to see other choices, Al Gore is most often mentioned as someone Democratic voters would like to see run for president (cited by 19%). Hillary Rodham Clinton is mentioned by 6%, and former President Bill Clinton is mentioned by 2%. General Wesley Clark, whose supporters have organized a campaign to draft him to run, is also cited by 2%. Among Independent voters, 7% would like see Al Gore run, 6% mention Bill Clinton, and 5% would like to see Hillary Rodham Clinton on the ticket.

Democrats
Al Gore
19%
Hillary Rodham Clinton
6%
Bill Clinton
2%
Wesley Clark
2%

Independents
Al Gore
7%
Hillary Rodham Clinton
5%
Bill Clinton
6%
Wesley Clark
0%