http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/64396.htmMay 29, 2006 -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is a polarizing figure who's short on the crossover appeal needed to win the White House, a new poll shows.
The poll found 42 percent of Americans say no way to Clinton in 2008.
Just 19 percent say they'd definitely vote for Clinton, another 38 percent would consider it, and 42 percent say they definitely won't back her if she runs, the ABC News poll found.
That means Clinton could win a majority only by winning over 80 percent of those who are now undecided on her candidacy.
The poll underscored the fact that Clinton has little crossover appeal - 74 percent of Republicans and 43 percent of swing independents say there's no way they'd back her.
By contrast, potential 2008 rival Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has less support from his base but more crossover appeal. Even among Democrats he has a 50 percent positive, 35 percent negative rating.
That suggests Clinton would find it easier to get her party's nomination but tougher to win a general election. McCain tops Clinton in most polls that pit them against each other.
Clinton gets a boost from women but has trouble with men. Women were 13 percent more likely to back her in the poll of 1,103 adults, conducted May 11-15. It has a 3-point error margin.
It was released as Clinton kicked her Senate reelection bid into high gear - perhaps in preparation for a 2008 campaign launch - by releasing a video that co-stars her ex-president hubby, Bill Clinton.
Clinton's ties to her husband aren't a big issue according to the poll. Just 9 percent say he has too much influence over her, while 14 percent say it's too little and 60 percent say it's about right.
In fact, Bill Clinton's overall ratings are, if anything, slightly better than his wife's. About 59 percent of voters see him favorably compared to 54 percent for her.
A Los Angeles Times editorial yesterday urged Sen. Clinton to skip 2008 so her hubby can succeed Kofi Annan as U.N. secretary-general. "The world needs Bill more than the U.S. needs Hillary," the paper said.
But Asian nations claim it's their turn for the U.N. job, and there's no sign that President Bush would back his predecessor for the post.
