With the North Korean missile showdown, Iraq, the New York Times revealing secret intelligence programs, Iran, the approaching 2006 elections, etc. all occupying the press; it is indicative of the growing interest in the 2008 presidential race that the National Journal in their Hotline Blog reported on another type of straw poll where participants have to pay to participate. (Fortunately, the Hotline didn’t administer this poll — they only reported it. Remember SRLC ‘06?) This poll is the tally of campaign paraphernalia sales at the Political Americana store at 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, DC. Strangely, their website doesn’t appear to carry any 2008 items — yet.
Patrick Ottenhoff’s article found that Hillary was the favorite of the Democrats, with 37% of the sales. Her nearest rivals were John Edwards and Barak Obama at 16% and 15%, respectively.
About the Republicans he wrote:
Republicans were much more spread out: Condoleezza Rice was the fan-favorite. Her ‘08 buttons outsold all other GOPers with 14% of the 239 sales. Also in the mix were Mitt Romney with 13% and Rudy Giuiliani, carrying 12%. Where was John McCain, you ask? At a meager 7%…
While very unscientific, this is the first polling confirmation of what we’ve seen at Republican gatherings across the country that support for McCain is all but non-existent among Republican and Conservative activists. We always have been mystified by the supposedly “scientific” poll results that show him in the top three with Condi and Rudy.