December 13, 2007
Columbia, SC- Recent months have been filled with uncertainty for many Americans as they try to decide which candidate to vote for in upcoming primary elections and caucuses.
This decision has been difficult for some Democratic primary voters. However, it has become really arduous for Republicans who have become detached from their pool of presidential candidates.
"I think next year's presidential race won't be a matter of Republican vs. Democrat. It will be a matter of which Democrat is best suited for the White House because many Republicans are tired of their current leadership," said South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler.
Fowler isn't the only who believes voters are displeased with the GOP. According to the New York Times and Washington Post, none of the GOP candidates have completely won over the Republican electorate.
A recent poll conducted by the Washington Post and ABC News found that the GOP electorate appears more fragmented than before. More than 15 percent of the poll’s participants had no opinion when asked which candidate best reflects the core values of the Republican Party.
"There was a similar lack of consensus about who is the GOP's most honest and trustworthy candidate, or who is tops on pivotal social issues, such as abortion and same-sex unions," said an article in the Washington Post about the poll results.
The latest New York Times/CBS News Poll, taken from Dec. 5 to Dec. 9, has revealed a general dissatisfaction among voters with the Republican Party and President George W. Bush.
The telephone poll of 1,028 voters revealed 33 percent of participants found the Republican Party favorable, while 48 percent favored the Democratic Party. Bush's approval ratings for the way he is handling his job as president, foreign policy, the economy and Iraq were less than 30 percent. Only 40 percent of participants approved of the president's campaign against terrorism.
The poll found that 31 percent said they would vote for a Republican if the 2008 election were held today. Many participants said they think the Democratic Party would make the right decisions about the war in Iraq and would ensure a strong economy.
"I think American voters are ready to clean up the mess made by Republican leaders during the last seven years and that will influence how they vote in 2008," said Fowler. "They're ready for Washington to end this senseless war in Iraq and begin addressing more of our country's problems. Americans are ready for a Democratic president."
