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PrintThe Hiller Instinct: 7News-Suffolk Poll: Dean’s Lead
Our poll shows New Hampshire Democrats have divided their party's ten candidates into three tiers. The double digit dems are the top tier, led by Howard Dean with 26 percent, John Kerry with 17 and Wesley Clark with 10.
Then there are the single digit dems, a group including Joe Lieberman, John Edwards, Dick Gephardt and Dennis Kucinich.
In tier three are the candidates running on empty: Bob Graham, Al Sharpton and Carol Mosley Braun.
Prof. David Paleologos, Suffolk University Pollster
"It appears that Dean is close to solidifying a base. Dean is only seven to eight points away from locking this thing up.
The poll spells capital-T trouble for John Kerry, who has lost almost half the support he had in our last poll in March.
Prof. David Paleologos
"It tells me that he's in a free fall, and he needs to address that problem immediately, if not sooner."
Our poll also indicates Kerry will have a tough time catching up, using traditional techniques, like joint appearances with Ted Kennedy.
New Hampshire Democrats are unimpressed, 41 percent saying Kennedy helps Kerry, but the same number saying he doesn't with 18 percent undecided.
Prof. David Paleologos
"It's not clear based on the polling data whether he's an asset or not, that is, the people who may like Ted Kennedy may think in the long run it might be a liability."
As Kerry struggles, Dean and Clark may be smiling to themselves, they have Kerry in a vise that could turn into a death grip.