Clinton Leads McCain 50-41% in Latest AP-Ipsos Poll

As published in today’s International Herald Tribune, “Hillary Rodham Clinton has a better chance than Barack Obama of beating Republican John McCain, according to a new Associated Press-Ipsos poll that bolsters her argument that she is more electable in the fall than her rival for the Democratic nomination.

“The survey released Monday gives Clinton a fresh talking point as she works to convince pivotal undecided superdelegates to side with her in the drawn-out Democratic primary fight.

“Clinton, who won the Pennsylvania primary last week, has gained ground this month in a hypothetical head-to-head match up with the GOP nominee-in-waiting; she now leads McCain, 50 percent to 41 percent, while Obama remains virtually tied with McCain, 46 percent to 44 percent.”

Clinton’s Electability Onstage in Iowa

Photo Credits: Reuters

Jeff Zeleny in today’s NY Times reports Hillary Clinton’s answer to questions from reporters in Iowa about electability. Clinton began by responding to Obama’s claims that he can unite the party and win back the White House for the Democratic party:

“He {Obama} can make his argument, that’s clearly his prerogative. I’ve been around awhile. I’ve seen a lot of elections come and go and whoever our Democratic nominee is will be subjected to the full force and effect of the Republican attack machine.”

“What you know with me is that I already overcome it,” she said. “I have withstood it and not only survived it, but thrived over the last 16 years. So there is very little guesswork.”

Clinton was accompanied by Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio, who has endorsed her candidacy. Zeleny noted that Governor Strickland reminded voters here how critical his battleground state would be in the fall election.

With Gov. Ted Strickland at her side – and a giant American flag behind her – she {Clinton} offered a few examples of the Democratic elected officials who support her candidacy, including the governor of Arkansas and nine senators.

“They are not on a political suicide mission. They are professionals,” Mrs. Clinton said. “They are assessing each and every one of us and they are concluding No. 1, I would be the best president and No. 2 that I am the Democrat that is most likely to be elected.”