University of New Hampshire pollster Andy Smith's latest CNN / WMUR survey indicates some good news for John McCain as he prepares to shock the world and announce his bid for the presidency tomorrow in Portsmouth and Manchester.
Yes, McCain remains at the top of the Republican field in the Granite State, but that' s not the really good news. What leaps out from Smith's copious crosstabs is how well McCain is doing among New Hampshire's conservative Republicans.
Just two months ago, McCain's net favorables (favorable minus unfavorable) among conservatives stood at a paltry 14 percent. In the latest poll, McCain now stands at + 47 among conservatives.
Moreover, he has increased his favorability among conservatives without hurting his popularity with moderate and liberal Republicans. In February, he enjoyed + 55 net favorables, and the latest survey puts him at + 56.
McCain also doubled his net favorables among undeclareds, from +29 in February to + 57 in April.
