Just the fact theat Quayle, Ford ‘80, Giuliani, and Elizabeth Dole registered as chief opposition (with Giuliani being the BIG front runner in 2008) shows how ridiculously irrelevant these polls are at this stage.
Considering that the Republican frontrunner does not necessarily win the Republican nomination, how meaningful is this?
Well, I think they are shading the facts here, if not openly lying.
The 2008 race was McCain v. Giuliani? What about Romney, who was the leading candidate through the early part of the race? What about Huckabee, who looked like a possible winner for a while? They were both running ahead of Giuliani. And Fred Thompson was possible, too.
The 2000 race was Bush v. Elizabeth Dole? What about McCain? 1996 was Dole v. McCain? For a while, it looked as if Pat Buchanan might get it, until Pat Robertson threw his support to Bob Dole.
The main difference this year is that the MSM and the RNC have a lot less control over things than they would like. And if they try to pull their usual tricks, there may be a revolt.
Plus 5 in 1980 was not a huge lead.
Shouldn’t that be a -17 in 2008 (and an exception to the rule?)
I guess I misread it. It says “Front-runner lead,” not “eventual nominee lead.”
I don’t like the table though. Somehow it should indicate the exceptions to the rule (such being 1964 and 2008, out of 9 tries).