(and elsewhere)
A complaint about Senator Clinton that I often read here is that she's a weaker general election candidate then some of the other candidates. In extreme cases, I read that she is "unelectable". Most people site the constantly fluctuating favorability poll numbers, which can varry by some 20 points from poll to poll, day to day.
But I think the head to head poll numbers against the Repiblican candidates is a somewhat more accurate measure of a candidates electability, even this far out from the election. Well, looking at the general election poll numbers from several key states: Florida, West Virginia, Arkansas, Iowa and New Mexico, I think Hillary Clinton looks pretty darn electable.
Florida
The mother of all electoral goals. We lost it in 2004 and it tripped us up historically in 2000. In the two most recent polls, Hillary Clinton has a lead over the Republican field.
According to Rasmussen, Clinton leads 49-44 against their strongest nominee, Giuliani.
http://rasmussenreports.com/...
According to Quinnipiac, Clinton leads by 46-44
http://www.quinnipiac.edu/...
West Virginia
Bush won this state in both 2000 and 2004. But in the most recent poll, Clinton leads Giuliani by 42 to 36.
http://www.wvmetronews.com/...
The poll also shows that she has higher favorability numbers here then Giuliani does.
Arkansas
Won by Bush in 2000 and 2004, the former first lady of this states proves to still be very popular here. According to the most recent poll, Clinton leads Giuliani by a massive 55 to 37. She tops Romney by 32 points.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/...
So, these are 3 Southern states, 1 of which carries a huge number of electoral votes, that Hillary Clinton is currently defeating the GOP in. But there are other swing states the Clinton has shown herself to be strong in.
Iowa
Won in 2000, lost in 2004, Iowa is an important swing state. The most recent SurveyUSA poll gives Clinton a lead of 47-41 over Giuliani.
http://www.surveyusa.com/...
New Mexico
Blue in 2000 and Red in 2004, New Mexico looks ripe to go back to blue in 2008. According to SuveryUSA, Clinton leads Giuliani by 50-44.
http://www.surveyusa.com/...
As a bonus, Missouri.
Red in 2000 and 2004, the most recent SurveyUSA poll has Giuliani leading in it by only 1 point.
These have been polls numers showing Clinton up against the Republicans' strongest nominee, Giuliani. They show that, unlike in 2000 and 2004, the South is in play for this election. Hillary Clinton can win states that Kerry lost and that both Kerry and Gore lost. She is clearly a strong general election candidate and far from unelectable, these polls suggest that she might be the most electable. I wouldn't want to put my money go the Republican candidate in 2008.