Jun 16, 2007
Redding
Democrats release the results
of ‘straw poll’ on the candidates
|
The Redding Democratic Town Committee conducted a “straw poll” on June 10 at the Georgetown Day festival. The poll, which was nonscientific and permitted registered Democrats, Republicans and independents from Redding and surrounding towns to participate, asked which of the potential Democratic candidates voters would like to see head the national Democratic ticket as the party’s nominee. The results are as follows: Barack Obama, 33%; Hillary Clinton, 24%; Al Gore (write in), 13%; John Edwards, 10%; Bill Richardson, 6%; Chris Dodd, 5%; Joe Biden, 4%; and Dennis Kucinich, 4%. (Note: Percentages do not total 100% due to rounding.)
If only Democratic voters are counted, the party’s registrants indicated the following results: Hillary Clinton, 28%; Barack Obama, 27%; Al Gore (write in), 15%; John Edwards, 12%; Dennis Kucinich, 6%; Bill Richardson, 5%; Joe Biden, 4%; and Chris Dodd, 4%. (Note: Percentages do not total 100% due to rounding.)
Fifty percent of participating independent and Republican voters favored Barack Obama as the nominee of the Democratic Party.
A separate Young Citizens survey asked several questions of those too young to vote. When asked who they would support for President, 22% selected Hillary Clinton, a matching 22% selected Barack Obama, 17% supported Chris Dodd, and the rest were split among Joe Biden, Ron Paul, Mike Gravel and “any Democratic candidate.”
When asked what problem they would most like to fix if they were President, almost 40% of youths cited stopping the war in Iraq. Other issues mentioned were oil prices, health care reform, ending gun violence, cutting pollution, ending nasty political campaigns, restoring the country’s international reputation, and recognition of third parties. One youth said that if he/she were President, “six hugs a day” would be given to everyone.
The final question on the youth survey asked whether respondents would support or oppose a requirement that all Americans graduating college devote two years to some form of national service. Two-thirds of the youths responded in the negative indicating that they should be free to pursue their own job paths, not one dictated by national policy.
“Many thanks go to Leon Karvelis, the newest member of the Redding/ Georgetown DTC in originating and conducting the First Annual Democratic Survey. We look forward to future surveys to hear what is of importance to our neighbors and to continue to foster open, positive, and informative dialogue. It is always a wake-up call to hear the concerns of our young people,” said Karen Dolan, the Democratic Town Committee chair.
“We were also delighted to have Jim Himes, the 2008 United States congressional candidate, meet the crowds and offer his vision and strategy for implementing the much needed changes for our county,” she added in her prepared statement.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
|
