Quinnipiac University's polls continue to be laughable public relations stunts. Three major "findings" from today's poll are:
* "In a head-to-head presidential matchup, Sen. Clinton tops Mayor Giuliani 53 - 32 percent, compared to 50 - 36 percent October 17."
* "In the Democratic primary, Sen. Hillary Clinton leads Illinois Sen. Barack Obama 55 -17 percent, with 7 percent for former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards."
* "Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's lead in the New York State Republican presidential primary is shrinking as he gets 34 percent."
We have no idea who the Democratic and Republican parties will nominate. Yet Quinnipiac polled a hypothetical general election contest between Rudy and Hillary that is almost a year away.
Hillary is faltering and if she loses Iowa to Obama it could be all over for her campaign. But Quinnipiac's poll is a national poll. Iowa is all that matters for Hillary, Mark Penn and Ickes-Begala-Carville-Lindsey now.
Gov. Huckabee is gaining in all polls, and it should come as no surprise that he's gaining in Rudy's home state. Plus, I hate to break it to Quinnipiac: New York is not a bellwether for the national Republican party with or without Rudy in the race.
A friend describes Quinnipiac's polls as "Quackapiac." It's a fitting description.
