It’s not surprising that the Democratic primary campaign lacks sharp differences on policy issues. After all, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton–when it comes to substance–are both doctrinaire liberals. Most self-identified Democrats would agree with both candidates on the bulk of their platforms. But the party’s partisans disagree sharply on the electoral impact of the ongoing nomination cage match. That’s the conclusion of this new poll issued by Gallup today. An overwhelming number of Obama supporters (76%-19%) believe the ongoing process does more harm than good. Clinton fans, on the other hand, are split with 45% saying it does more good than harm and 43% saying it does more harm. Gallup argues Obama supporters only see down sides to the intra-party fight. Clinton fans see the protracted process as the only way their candidate can win. Overall, a growing number of Democrats (62% in April compared to 56% in March) believe the lengthy primary battle does more harm than good. But these numbers mask the deep underlying differences between Clinton and Obama supporters on the impact of the extended battle. If next Tuesday results in another split decision with Clinton winning Indiana and Obama prevailing in North Carolina, I assume these overall numbers will only go up. And the differences will only grow wider between the two candidates’ supporters on the political impact of the “Neverending Story.”
