Al Gore sneaks up in latest 2008 primary poll

The latest Democratic primary straw poll was just released by the Cook Political Report.  Al Gore is catching up to Hillary Clinton:

"I am going to read a list of people who might seek the Democratic nomination for president in 2008, and I will read the list twice.  I would like you to tell me who would be your FIRST CHOICE for the nomination? . . ." Names rotated.         Among Democrats     and leaners.

Hillary Clinton - 31%
Al Gore - 18%
John Kerry - 14%
John Edwards - 11%
Joe Biden - 4%
Mark Warner - 3%
Wesley Clark - 3%
Evan Bayh - 2%
Russ Feingold - 2%
Bill Richardson - 2%
Chris Dodd - 1%
Tom Vilsack - 0%
Other - 10%

I still am not convinced that Hillary Clinton is electable.  Every Democrat, including myself, would obviously throw their support behind her if she ended up being the nominee.  But with books out like American Evita, which recklessly attack the former First Lady for something she is not, she might be too wounded to even stand a chance against GOP heavyweights like John McCain, Rudy Giuliani or George Allen.

This poll did leave out Barack Obama, who has created a lot of buzz over the last couple of weeks.  Sources say that he might decide to stun everyone and enter the race for president in 2008.  Now here is a guy who is popular, well-rounded and respected enough to get more votes than both Hillary (primaries) and McCain (November).  Singer Neil Young and Senator Dick Durbin have already endorsed him.  Obama also has the highest national approval rating of any Democrat.