By all accounts, Hillary is the prime contender for the democratic nomination. While Barack Obama might be nipping at her heels here and there, the polls summarized on the USA Election Polls website indicate that in the vast majority of cases Hillary is the clear frontrunner. A 07-07-07 USA Today/Gallup Poll indicates 37% support versus Obama's 21%. Even polls that showed slipping numbers, such as the Cool Political Report/RT Strategies poll dated 06-22-07 showcases that the former First Lady is amassing at least 32% of the votes while Obama trails behind at 22%; yet Mrs. Clinton and her advisors are wondering if this is enough to win the presidential race.
Taking it for granted that she will win the presidential nomination for the Democratic Party Mrs. Clinton will nonetheless need to be able to woo the independent and moderate republican voters if she wants to get the swing states onto her sides and not lose any of the slim margins of victory carved out for democrats in the 2004 elections. To this end the former First Lady is working hard at changing the image of the hard headed go-getter that has been following her around since her White House days at the side of Bill Clinton. On her website Mrs. Clinton stresses her accomplishments as a mother and advocate for women's rights and issues. While it will not be possible to undo some of the comments that are hanging like an albatross around her neck, the move has shown that a softening of the image will indeed appeal to voters who might not have considered casting their ballots for Hillary even a short six months ago. Yet will it be enough to sway the moderate republicans she needs while at the same time keeping the hardcore left loyal?
> View the online archive of the latest 2008 presidential polls.
