A CBS poll puts Hillary Clinton in first place in a three-way race with Obama and Edwards, with 51 percent to Obama's 23 percent and Edwards's 13 percent. When Gore is included in the mix, Clinton has 37 percent and Gore 32 percent. Obama and Edwards get 16 percent and Edwards 7 percent, respectively. Doesn't sound like inevitability to me. In fact, if Gore cuts a deal with Obama, they have 48 percent of the vote.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/25/...in3411229.shtml

"Sen. Hillary Clinton has widened her lead in the race for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, according to the latest CBS News poll of Democratic primary voters. But more than one third of voters overall say they would definitely not vote for the former first lady.

In a hypothetical three-way contest, 51 percent of Democratic primary voters choose Clinton as the nominee. That's the highest percentage since CBS News started asking the question in the spring and an increase of seven points from September. Twenty-three percent back Sen. Barack Obama, while 13 percent support former Sen. John Edwards.

Sixty-four percent of Clinton's supporters say they "strongly favor" the former first lady, while 26 percent say they support her with reservations. Obama is strongly favored by 47 percent of his supporters, while 43 percent support the candidate with reservations.

If Clinton becomes the Democratic nominee, more than 70 percent of Democrats say they will consider voting for her or definitely vote for her for president. Only 6 percent of Democrats say they would not vote for her.

But among registered voters overall, 36 percent say they would definitely not vote for Clinton. Twenty-four percent would definitely vote for her, 21 percent would consider voting for her, and 19 percent say it’s too early to say.

Forty-six percent of registered voters believe that if Clinton is elected, she will divide Americans. Forty percent say she will bring Americans together.

Though Clinton is a practicing Methodist, three out of four registered voters do not think she has strong religious beliefs. Even a majority of Democratic primary voters - 63 percent - say her religious beliefs are not strong. Obama and Edwards are thought to be more religious than Clinton, though none of the three is thought to have strong religious beliefs by a majority of those surveyed.

Clinton is viewed favorably by 43 percent of all voters, while Obama is viewed favorably by 38 percent and Edwards by 30 percent. Significantly more Americans say they are undecided or don't know enough to have an opinion about Obama (37 percent) and Edwards (39 percent) than say the same about Clinton (16 percent).

When former Vice President Al Gore, who has not entered the race, is added as a choice for the Democratic nomination, he emerges as a serious contender. Gore garners support of 32 percent of Democratic primary voters, while Clinton gets 37 percent, Obama 16 percent, and Edwards 7 percent. Gore is viewed favorably by 46 percent of registered voters, his highest favorability rating since October, 2000."

Here are the details of the poll.

CBS NEWS POLL
For Release: October 25, 2007
6:30pm EDT

RACE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION: HILLARY CLINTON STILL IN FRONT
October 12-16, 2007

Hillary Clinton continues to be the frontrunner for the Democratic
nomination for President, and many voters say they’ll consider
supporting her in November 2008 if she becomes the Democratic nominee.

Still, there are obstacles. Many voters think a Hillary Clinton
presidency will divide the country rather than unite it. And when Al
Gore is added to the list of Democratic candidates, he trails Clinton
by only five points.

THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RACE

Clinton continues to be the frontrunner in a hypothetical three-way
contest against Senator Barack Obama and former Senator John Edwards.
Now, 51% of Democratic primary voters choose Clinton as the nominee –
the highest number since CBS News starting asking the question in the
spring. 23% back Obama, while 13% support Edwards.

DEMOCRATIC CHOICE FOR THE NOMINATION
(Among Democratic primary voters)
Now 9/07 8/07
Clinton 51% 44% 45%
Obama 23 26 25
Edwards 13 17 14

A majority of Clinton supporters are solidly in her corner – 64% say
they strongly favor her. 26% say they like her with reservations and
another one in 10 dislike the other candidates. As for Obama backers,
47% favor him strongly, while 43% support him with reservations.

STRENGTH OF SUPPORT
(Among Democratic Primary Voters)
Clinton Obama
Supporters Supporters
Strongly favor 64% 47%
Like with reservations 26 43
Dislike other candidates 10 9

Moreover, if Clinton eventually becomes the Democratic nominee, more
than seven in 10 Democrats say they will consider voting for her for
president. Only 6% say they would not vote for her.

Among voters overall, 45% would consider supporting her, but 36% say
they will definitely not vote for Clinton. Another 19% say it’s too
early to say. 43% of Independents would consider backing Clinton in
the general election, while three in four Republicans say they would
definitely not vote for Clinton for president.

IF CLINTON WON THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION, WOULD YOU...?
(Among registered voters)
All
Voters Rep Dem Ind
Definitely vote for her 24% 1% 50% 18%
Consider voting for her 21 10 27 25
Definitely not vote for her 36 74 6 29
Too early to say 19 15 17 27

Of those who say they will definitely not vote for Clinton (most of
whom are Republican), more than eight in 10 say their minds are made
up.

68% of Democratic primary voters say Hillary Clinton is spending more
time explaining her positions; fewer than one in five say she has been
attacking her opponents. As for the other Democratic candidates, 47%
say they are explaining their positions, but a third says they are
mostly attacking Clinton.

EXPLAINING OR ATTACKING IN THE 2008 CAMPAIGN?
(Among Democratic primary voters)
Hillary Clinton Other Democrats
Explaining 68% 47%
Attacking 18 34

HILLARY CLINTON: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Clinton has been described by some as a polarizing figure. While she
is running strong nationally in the Democratic contest, 46% of voters
nationwide say if Clinton eventually becomes president, her presidency
would divide Americans; 40% say she would bring them together.

WILL CLINTON UNITE OR DIVIDE THE COUNTRY AS PRESIDENT?
(Among registered voters)
All
Voters Rep Dem Ind
Bring Americans together 40% 15% 65% 40%
Divide Americans 46 76 22 40

There are partisan differences here. Most Democrats -65% - say the New
York Senator will unite the country if she becomes president, but one
in five Democrats say she will divide it. 76% of Republicans think a
Clinton presidency would divide Americans, while Independents are
evenly divided. Also, among voters who say a Clinton presidency would
divide the country, nearly seven in 10 say they would definitely not
vote for her in the general election.

One reason for Clinton’s large support among Democratic primary voters
may be due to how those voters think she will handle the war in Iraq.
87% of Democratic primary voters want large numbers of U.S. troops
removed from Iraq within two years. Although all three of the leading
Democratic presidential candidates have advocated removing most troops
from Iraq by the end of their first term, more Democratic primary
voters think Clinton will accomplish this (64%) than say this about
either Obama (54%) or Edwards (44%).

AS PRESIDENT, HOW WOULD THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
HANDLE IRAQ?
(Among Democratic primary voters)
Clinton Obama Edwards
Remove most troops from Iraq 64% 54% 44%
Keep most troops in Iraq 27 28 32

Among the voters that Clinton may have trouble wooing in the general
election, however, are those who believe it is at least somewhat
important that a candidate shares their religious beliefs – and that
group comprises one out of every two voters. 46% of those voters say
they will definitely not vote for her in the general election – 10
points higher than voters overall.

Even though Clinton is a practicing Methodist, three out of four
registered voters do not think she has strong religious beliefs.
Fewer than one in five thinks she does, a smaller number than say that
about either Barack Obama or John Edwards. Even among Democratic
primary voters, only one in four thinks she has strong religious
beliefs.

DOES...HAVE STRONG RELIGIOUS BELIEFS?
All Democratic
Voters Primary Voters
Yes No Yes No
Clinton 16% 74 26% 63
Obama 28% 51 32% 49
Edwards 36% 45 40% 45

But while most Democratic primary voters do not think Clinton has
strong religious beliefs, 54% think she has more honesty and integrity
than most people in public life. These voters feel similarly about
Obama (56%) and Edwards (50%).

More generally, seven in 10 Democratic primary voters have a positive
opinion of Hillary Clinton, while voters overall remain divided. 43%
of registered voters have a favorable opinion of her; while 41% view
her unfavorably, with only 16% yet to make up their minds. In
contrast, nearly four in 10 voters have yet to make up their minds
about Barack Obama and John Edwards. Of those who have, most view
Obama favorably, while opinion of Edwards is split.

OPINION OF THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
(Among registered voters)
All Democratic
Voters Primary Voters
Clinton: Favorable 43% 72%
Not favorable 41 15
Undecided/DK 16 12

Obama: Favorable 38% 56%
Not favorable 24 13
Undecided/DK 37 30

Edwards: Favorable 30% 44%
Not favorable 30 14
Undecided/DK 39 41

AL GORE AND THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Although he has not declared his candidacy, this poll indicates that
were he to enter the race, Al Gore could be a serious contender. Near
the end of this questionnaire, his name was added to a short list of
candidates vying for the nomination. He came in second among
Democratic primary voters at 32% – just five points behind Hillary
Clinton. Barack Obama trailed behind them in third place with 16%
percent.

DEMOCRATIC CHOICE FOR THE NOMINATION
(Among Democratic primary voters)
Clinton 37%
Gore 32
Obama 16
Edwards 7

Gore took support from all the major candidates.

In the first horserace question, which did not explicitly offer Gore
as a choice, 2% of Democratic Primary voters volunteered Gore’s name.

46% of registered voters view Al Gore favorably, his highest rating
since October, 2000.

OPINION OF AL GORE
(Among registered voters)
Now 6/2007 1/2007 10/2000
Favorable 46% 34% 31% 46%
Not favorable 29 40 49 35
Undecided/DK 24 25 20 17

But even without Gore in the race, most Democratic primary voters
remain satisfied when it comes to the choices available to them for
their party’s nomination. They remain far more satisfied than their
Republican counterparts.

SATISFIED WITH YOUR PARTY’S PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS?
Republican Democratic
Primary Voters Primary Voters
Now 8/2007 Now 8/2007
Satisfied 48% 46% 63% 67%
Want more choices 49 49 35 28

______________________________________________________________________
This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1282 adults nationwide,
including 1143 registered voters, interviewed by telephone October 12-16,
2007. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample, and
the sample of registered voters, could be plus or minus three percentage
points. 456 interviews were conducted with Democratic primary voters. The
margin of error for this subgroup is plus or minus five percentage points.

The margin of error is +/- 5, so it's possible that Gore could be the leader. However, the media will keep Hillary as the front-runner for now.

Just as I have said in the past. Gore's entrance would kick Edwards out of the mix, neutralize Obama, and leave it with a Gore/Hillary battle. In the end, I think Gore would pull off the victory.

Typical MSM....(oh by the way if Gore gets in he's almost tied with the person we're trying to Crown for the Nomination. And let's not mention he's not even announced yet).

I can't believe they did not acknowledge Gore in the Title of this article....Well on second thought, yes I can.

Yeah, it's pretty amazing that the most interesting piece of news was that Gore and Clinton are neck and neck and the title says "Majority of Democrats" go for Clinton.

This is the first poll to actually show what we are saying.

But it will take Al getting into the race for it to come true...and the clock is ticking.

The paradox is, Gore supporting Obama won't give Obama all those votes.
Gore needs Edwards to drop out, Obama to be Gore's VP and drop out, and then Gore shall move into the lead

All alot of dealing with no time left

I am feeling like when I heard the first part of the Supreme Court ruling-
that 7 to 2 it will be sent back to Florida for final decision, and for a fleeting moment, Gore won...
Then the hammer came down, 5 to 4 that the clock has run out, its too late

That clock is ticking again, and soon it will be too late...It's now Friday, Halloween is Wednesday, and Nov. 1st is Thursday...
To win one needs to be in all 50 states and chip away the delegates needed.
Every state not fought makes it easier for Hillary to get the total delegates.And those pesky super delegates which the public has no access too, just the pros...

But this is the first bit of great polling news I have seen to proove the votes are there in black and white actual numbers. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Mike Malloy last night on his Radio show brought up the poll and focused on Gore. Hopefully Thom Hartmann, Ed Schultz, and Randi Rhodes have seen it and will bring it up on their shows today.
This is important news especially to the people that have been supporting him running and need something to continue.

Indeed this is tremedous news! The day he entered the race, he would nudge ahead of Hillary, and as soon as his platform has enough time to be digested, he would squeeze her and the others in the planet of irrelevance. And, I am convinced that both Obama and Edwards, not to mention the single digit candidates, would rally behind Gore. His road to the WH, or at least the nomination, is devoid of major resistance. The only thing left to ask is why in the heck has he not declared? My amauter opinion is that 11/01/07 is the ABSOLUTE latest he could declare and get on enough impact primary-states' ballots to win the prize. 11/01/07 would have symbolic potency, one year from the big dance and two months before the primary sprint begins. He needs at least a couple of months to sell the public and fend off the obvious contingency plans that HRC and the others have stowed away for if the Shaq of the race gets in. He also needs to build a campaign infrastructure, a tall order in a short amount of time, although we can supply plenty of hammers and picks.

Andrew, we squabled a bit the other night when I was venting about how I think Al owes us a clear answer and, even more, owes the public and the world and even his own family the bright future that he can best ensure. But, I respect your toughts and would like your opinion on what you believe is the last date, putting aside the 3rd party scenarios and the draft movement for a second, he can enter and still qualify for enough primary races to win the whole doggone thing? I am sticking with 11/01/07. Gear up Big Al!! That's Thursday!!! After that, my continued support and sanity could both be in jeopardy.

I don't think you are referring to this Andrew but if you are, that's fine and I'll give my two cents worth. Also, I am not that familiar with Primary deadlines as other people on this board.

I do know though that I am in the minority that I don't think Gore will announce now or should, and I don't believe he is going after the Democratic Nomination. There are reasons I would like him to but he has obstacles as we can see here such as the MSM and DLC.

The one thing that stopped me from my opinion above was protecting Howard Dean. It's been widely reported that HRC with her DLC and Blue Dog buddies would replace him if she gets into office. She'll probably put McAuliffe back in which of course would produce more disastrous election results for the Dems. I do assume Gore and Dean are friends and there's a need to take back the Democratic party but right now, the timing is wrong.

The realistic scenario in the next 6 months I see is to let people get tired of Hillary (which we don't need to go into again) and the Repugs overdoing their War/Anti-Gay/911 schtick. The result will probably be an unsettled electorate. That would be a perfect opportunity for Gore to come in as a Third Party candidate. By that time you could use the MSM to your advantage.
What I mean is boredom and apprehension will set in and at that moment with built up anticipation you announce your candidacy. (Example of this type of product launch? The Apple iPhone and I am sure Jobs has casually brought this up to Gore)
And you say he has to run as a Democrat? By this time, the Religious Nut Right will already have their own Third party candidate in place to split the vote and the Democratic Led Congress even as we speak now has an 11% approval rating.

I believe Gore will run, and right now he is accessing the Grass Roots Movement for that Third Party Run.
I do think you will need to wait longer. I see a 2008 race with four equally strong candidates, and I think Gore will win the 2008 Election at the top of a Third Party ticket. I say this and I wanted to originally see John Edwards get the Democratic nomination. We now see there's is no way Edwards or Obama (and I know they are holding out for Iowa) will win the Democratic Nomination. Both of them right now should be sending their operatives to Europe to persuade
for Gore to take over one of their Organizations. (Especially Obama).

andrewv1, I think you make a lot of sense, especially if a Gore campaign was not only about turning this country around, but also sending a loud and clear message to the Democrats- ditch the DLC and Blue Dogs, who keep candidates like HRC viable.

A majority of the Democrats in congress have got to go. Remember they did not back Gore or put up any kind of a fight about the Supreme Court ruling.

I see no reason for Gore to run as a Dem with the current Dem power structure in place.

I think it would be poetic justice if he did run third party and win, as I think he could.

Given the approval ratings of congress, perhaps the country is hungry for an alternative to the same old, same old.

That would do two things at the same time: Shake up the two-party system in this country and send a very clear message to the Democrats- you cannot win simply by having a different name tag.