Another Poll Shows That Bill Hasn't Hurt Hillary Among Dem Primary Voters
February 4, 2008 -- 10:37 AM EST // //

Yesterday I noted that contrary to the narrative selected by many reporters, pundits and commentators, a new Pew poll had some numbers suggesting that Bill hadn't hurt Hillary among Dem primary voters nationally. Now along comes another poll that finds this even more clearly.

Before looking at the numbers, let's remember that in the days after the racial dust-ups involving Bill, the claim that Bill had jumped the shark and damaged Hillary in her battle with Obama was repeated so often that it morphed from speculation into absolute fact in the mouths of many pundits.

Now, in addition to yesterday's Pew poll, we have the new CBS/New York Times poll, which asks Dem primary voters the following:

Does Bill Clinton's involvement in Hillary Clinton's Presidential campaign make you more likely to support Hillary Clinton, less likely, or doesn't it make a difference to you?

More likely 18%

Less likely 12%

No difference 70%

This is pretty clear, isn't it? Seventy percent say he makes "no difference." What's more, if you compare these numbers to the last New York Times polling on the question, it becomes even more clear cut. In January 13% said Bill made them "less likely" to support Hillary. Now that number is actually down one point.

A caveat: The number of voters who said Bill makes them "more likely" to support her has dropped significantly, from 39% in January to 18% now. What this suggests is that all the bad press has perhaps made Bill less of an asset than he was before. That's certainly noteworthy. But all those respondents have gone over into the "indifferent" column. So these numbers clearly contradict the tsunami of punditry telling us that his latest escapades are hurting her among Dems.

A couple other points. First, these numbers are principally concerned with Dem primary voters. It's perfectly possible that all the bad press that's hit Bill could hurt Hillary among independents and Republicans, as these polls both suggest. But the general election is nine months away. Right now I'm talking about all the punditry insisting that Bill has hurt Hillary against Obama -- meaning among Dems.

And on this score, one more eye-opening number. Central to much commentary about this stuff is the notion that Bill's recent antics have "reminded" voters that Bill will have an outsize role in a Hillary presidency. But guess what? Dem primary voters just aren't listening to this "reminder," according to the Times poll:

If Hillary Clinton becomes President, do you think Bill Clinton will have too much influence, to little influence, or about the right amount of influence on the decisions Hillary Clinton makes as President?

Too much influence 22%

Too little influence 6%

About the right amount 65%

Why won't Chris Matthews and David Broder talk about these numbers?

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