[Qbert]

"Does “favorability” even matter?"

I think by any objective standard, one would have to admit that there's something going on here when compared to the other candidates on this question. I personally don't view Newt "unfavorably" regarding his personal issues, etc. (and I think his strengths outweigh his negatives in this regard)- but many others do.

[Utmost Certainty]

I think by any objective standard, one would have to admit that there's something going on here when compared to the other candidates on this question.

Yeah, but I want to know how "favorability" is being defined here (if anyone knows). "Favorability" is such a vague term without any qualification to it.

For instance, favoring someone in a personal sense, can be a very different thing than favoring someone in a presidential sense. I may feel favorable affinity for a close friend and have nothing but praise for their character, but that doesn't mean I would want them as president.