Guess Who Does Best Against Obama Among Republicans? Ron Paul

It’s an early poll, and it doesn’t necessarily mean much, but it is a reflection of how weak the GOP field is against the President right now:

According to the poll, taken before the announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death, President Barack Obama has an edge over all the top GOP candidates in hypothetical match-ups.

Who does best against Obama? Paul. The congressman from Texas, who also ran as a libertarian candidate for president in 1988 and who is well liked by many in the tea party movement, trails the president by only seven points (52 to 45 percent) in a hypothetical general election showdown. Huckabee trails by eight points, with Romney down 11 points to Obama.

The poll indicates the president leading Gingrich by 17 points, Palin by 19, and Trump by 22 points.

Ouch, that’s gotta hurt.

 

FILED UNDER: 2012 Election, US Politics, , , , , ,
Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Comments

  1. john personna says:

    Why not, Paul is the anti-Obama.

    That said, I’m sure there is more than a little “unknown agent / confirmation bias” in play.

  2. Kylopod says:

    It’s kind of odd, if you think about it, since the area of policy in which Paul differs most sharply from mainstream Republicans–civil liberties–is not especially popular with the American public.

  3. Southern Hoosier says:

    According to the poll, taken before the announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death,

    Ancient history. After the Republican debate last night, a lot of people have taken an interest in Herman Cain.

  4. mantis says:

    Bin Laden’s death is ancient history now because of Herman Cain?

    Ah, to live in imaginationland. Must be pleasant.

  5. Southern Hoosier says:

    No, the polls are ancient history.

  6. TG Chicago says:

    Give us a prediction of how high we should expect to see Cain’s numbers go in the next poll.

  7. mantis says:

    OIC. Meh, polls this early are worthless anyway. Just ask President Giuliani.

  8. Southern Hoosier says:

    I guess bin Laden’s death is ancient history as well. There were no new bin Laden stories posted on here today.

  9. mantis says:

    I guess bin Laden’s death is ancient history as well. There were no new bin Laden stories posted on here today.

    Interesting metric.

  10. Southern Hoosier says:

    Pollsters: Debate Makes Herman Cain Overnight ‘Star
    Atlanta talk-show host and businessman Herman Cain stole the show in the GOP debate in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, and may have vaulted himself into the front tier of Republican candidates according to several pundits and observers.

    http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/hermancain-matttowery-gopdebate-scottrasmussen/2011/05/06/id/395435

    @mantis
    Can’t stand the thought of a conservative Black man?

    Herman Cain ‘won’t stay on the Democrat plantation’

    Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51988.html#ixzz1LbvatIfe

  11. Kylopod says:
  12. mantis says:

    Can’t stand the thought of a conservative Black man?

    What is the basis for your question?

  13. Southern Hoosier says:

    Kylopod says:
    Friday, May 6, 2011 at 17:29

    >Interesting metric.

    Interesting, and yet untrue.

    I guess they moved them off the front page.

  14. Southern Hoosier says:

    mantis says:
    Friday, May 6, 2011 at 17:30

    Can’t stand the thought of a conservative Black man?

    What is the basis for your question?

    Most liberals can’t.

  15. Kylopod says:

    >I guess they moved them off the front page.

    They’re still on the front page as I type this message. Two of them under “Quick takes” and one below that section. Two of them I’m currently looking at on the bottom of this page, under “Editor’s Picks.”

  16. Bleev K says:

    Most liberals can’t.

    Birthers, not liberals.

  17. Tsar Nicholas says:

    Are they polling in cannabis clubs??

  18. Southern Hoosier says:

    @Bleev K
    Call it what you want, but Cain has my support.

    “I’m an American Black Conservative – an ABC — and I’m proud of it,” Cain said. “And because I’ve been affiliated with the conservative movement, and had the audacity to go on talk radio and do a talk show, and promote conservative principles, I’ve been called a racist too. Go figure”

    http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/herman-cain-i-wont-stay-on-the-democratic-plantation.php

  19. Michael says:

    I guess bin Laden’s death is ancient history as well. There were no new bin Laden stories posted on here today.

    Bin Laden’s condition hasn’t changed today. Probably won’t change tomorrow either.

  20. ratufa says:

    Bin Laden’s condition hasn’t changed today. Probably won’t change tomorrow either.

    He’s the Francisco Franco of our times.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General%C3%ADssimo_Francisco_Franco_is_still_dead

  21. Jim March says:

    It’s very simple. Dr. Paul really means what he says about pulling out of the various wars. He can peel off a segment of the left-wing vote that is primarily, hardcore anti-war, while at the same time virtually nobody on the right would pick Obama over Paul. The right-wingers with a “Christian Conservative” bent might not like it, and probably would have preferred a religious nutcase like Huckabee, but they’ll still vote Ron Paul. Upshot, the only GOPer with even a prayer against Obama is Dr. Paul.

  22. George Washington says:

    If I may,
    To feel that change that Obama was talking about…Please consider truly looking into, past the comment sections, the issues Dr. Paul presents.
    I beg you to please think about each issue and what he is presenting.
    America needs reasonable elements to fully nurture a, not only strong economy, but a strong dollar as well. All while increasing civil liberties. How rare to actually have a politician who does what he says and will/does work toward the USA’s national interests.
    Constitutionally, legislatively, and morally, Ron Paul has no equal. His 22 year voting record speaks for itself. The World is watching. Ron Paul for President in 2012.

    Thank You