The Hiller Instinct: 7News/Suffolk Poll: Dean’s Surging Rivals

View the Poll Results

Howard Dean is still the front runner in New Hampshire, but he is in front by less. All the attacks by all his opponents have wounded him, but not fatally.

Howard Dean (D) Presidential Candidate
"The truth is that Americans are no safer today from these serious threats than they were the day before Saddam Hussein was captured."

Dean's rivals were outraged by that comment about Saddam Hussein, but voters aren't. In fact, when we asked likely democratic primary voters if Saddam's capture makes them feel safer, 76 percent said no, only 21 percent yes.

Howard Dean
"You sit down. You've had your say and now I'm going to have my say."

Similarly, voters support Dean's style. When we asked, "Is Howard Dean too blunt?" 62 percent said no, 28 percent yes.

Prof. David Paleologos, Suffolk University Pollster
"People appreciate his frankness, his straight forwardness, and his candidness. And they do not believe it's a liability; they don't believe he's too blunt."

Still, Wesley Clark's late push could push him past dean…

Prof. David Paleologos
"Independents are driving Clark's candidacy. He is only three points behind Dean among independents. If independents ambush the democratic primary on January 27th, Clark has an excellent chance to close the margin and possibly take him."

As Clark has gone up, John Kerry has gone down. Kerry has tried to jump-start his campaign several times... now he may be out of time…

Prof. David Paleologos
"He was beginning to pick up in the demographics against Dean and then it happened -- the Wesley Clark surge and that's dwarfed his ability to grow."

Nearly half the voters we surveyed also told us Kerry's campaign has been worse than expected. But don't bet for or against anyone in New Hampshire right now, because there is a political earthquake coming... the bounce from the Iowa caucus.