2007 Looking Like 2003 So Far

Quinnipiac University just released a poll of Ohio voters on prospective presidential candidates. It's rare to get a poll tareted specifically at Ohio and covering the whole field. While the numbers are going to change significantly over the next year, they provide a good snapshot of where things are starting from.

One thing that is most clear -- candidates who have previously run for president or otherwise have a national profile tend to do well in early polls. So how might Dennis do? In a word, pathetically.

One candidate many Ohioans do know is Dennis Kucinich, the former mayor of Cleveland and a multi-term congressman. If the Democratic primary were held today, the poll shows, Kucinich would win just 2 percent of the vote. His unfavorability rating was more than double his favorability rating. This, in his own state.

Dennis also clocks in with a whopping 37% of Ohioans viewing him unfavorably compared to only 18% who have a favorable impression. Of all the Democratic contenders, only Hillary Clinton (38, but with much higher favorables) and presidential losers John Kerry and Al Gore do worse.

There are two conclusions a candidate in Dennis' positon could reach: 1) abort the run and serve your consituents in Congress, 2) or campaign like crazy at the expense of serving your consituents in Congress. I'd like to see #1, but I think will get #2 along with protestations that running for president is somehow doing good for Cleveland.