RT Strategies/Cook Political Report released a new national poll covering the 2008 presidential race (poll specs: Aug 25-27, 2006: 1,028 adults nationwide, 3% MOE;801 registered voters, 3.4% MOE. pdf file).

For the Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton led the way with 32%, while Gore came in a strong second with 19%, with Edwards (11%) and Kerry (9%) trailing the top two choices.

Giuliani has gained significant steam among the Republicans, now surging to a 12 point lead (32 vs 20) over McCain according to this poll, compared to a 5 point deficit in June (25 vs 29).

Please follow me below the fold for an informal reading and commentary about this poll.

Democratic Party Nomination:

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ARG(8/21)1st Choice2nd Choicew/o GoreGore's CutJuneHillary Clinton321537531Gore1914--18Edwards111417611Kerry91112314Biden53634Richardson24312Feingold35522Warner232-3Clark15213Bayh212-2Vilsack1-1--Dodd111-1Unsure111212110

As we can see, Gore is within a striking distance of Hillary in this poll, only 13 points separate them. Gore could enjoy a significant bump once he declares his interest in running, should he choose to do so, and that could narrow the gap to single digits (6-9%) right away. Therefore, Gore remains strongly viable for the nomination.

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Republican't Party Nomination


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(Name (Aug/Jun)) Giuliani (32%/24), McCain't (20/29), Gingrich (10/6), Frist (8/5), Romney (5/8), Allen (4/3), Pataki (1/4), Huckabee (2/-), Brownback (1/1), Unsure (17%/18)

Gingrich's rise seems plausible, but the 9% drop in McCain's support is a bit steep. My impression is that, Romney should have gained in the past month or so, whereas this poll shows a drop. Allen's prospects have significantly dimmed in my opinion due to his recent Macacan escapades, perhaps sealed shut from the revelations of his hobnobbing with white supremacist groups in the past, but the poll doesn't show him bottoming out yet. Look for the reichwing to start pulling behind Brownback or perhaps even attempt to inject Jeb Bush into the race.

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Other Questions

• Bush's Job Appoval rating: 39% approve, 55% disapprove (approval breakdown: R(80%), I(32%), D(8)) {can you believe these 80% Republicans that just won't let go of their stellar contribution to the nation?}
  
• Right/Wrong Direction: right (28%), wrong (64) (wrong track breakdown: R(28%),I(72),D(90) {again, 68% Republicans still believe that the country is headed in the rigt direction, thus rendering this 20% of the nation's population beyond redemption. Note the very high wrong track numbers (72%) among the Independents. The Dems have to drive those voters to favor the Democrats overwhelmingly, to make way for a landslide victory this November).
  
• Graded favorability (0-100) (0 utterly dislike, 100 head over heels): Bush (43.6), HRC (43.9), Edwards (49.1), McCain't (54.8), Giuliani (59.4), Kerry (44.9) {they didn't poll about Gore here. Why, I ask?}
  
• Control of Congress pref: Democrats(51%), Republican'ts(40%)
  
• Party affiliation/leaning: R(29%), D(30), I(36) (with leaners: R(38)/D(39) {confirms a recent trend of new voter registration trending independent. Nevertheless, I think that this poll has a bit too low number for the Dems, which I think currently ranges in 33-36%}
  
• Gender: Men (48%), Women (52%)