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Does The Democratic Primary Fight Help John McCain?

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IS THAT SO, HUFFPO? McCain
If you read the blogs and the newspapers today in the wake of Hillary Clinton's win over Barack Obama in Pennsylvania, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the real victor is Republican nominee John McCain. After all, the thinking goes, while Obama and Clinton continue to attack each other, McCain is able to campaign unscathed, letting the Democrats do damage to each other.

But is it true?

Not exactly. The New Republic's Jonathan Cohn takes a look at the Gallup Daily Election Polls pitting McCain against each of his potential Democratic rivals over the last month. The results? McCain is stuck at about 45 percent. Says Cohn:

"If McCain is getting a free ride, it doesn't seem to be doing much good. He's running no stronger against either candidate than he was before the Wright story, Bittergate, or the Bosnia controversy. It's possible McCain's numbers are stagnant simply because Clinton and Obama soaking up all of the media attention. But there may be another explanation...: That 45 percent figure represents a ceiling of his support.

[B]arring some outside shock to the political system, there is no reason to think McCain's numbers will go up.... If anything, McCain has the look of an Internet stock circa 1999: Great numbers, lousy fundamentals."

Now, we're not suggesting that the Democratic primary should continue on. God forbid. IT IS KILLING US ALL. But these numbers should give everyone a little perspective on what is and isn't happening in the race.

By Alex Balk   04/23/08 4:10 PM
Related: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Politics, Trail Mix
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