Big Gain for Hillary in Poll

The latest Fox News poll shows a big gain for Hillary in a trial match-up with Rudy Giuliani. In the current poll, taken on Sept. 26, Hillary leads by eight points, 46-39. This compares with a previous lead of only five points in July and a deficit of three points in June:

Fox News Poll Head to Head

Date Hillary Rudy

12/6/06 39 48
2/14/07 40 49
3/28 44 45
6/6 42 45
7/18 46 41
9/26 46 39

Why is Rudy slowing and Hillary gaining? The obvious answer is the decreasing salience of the terrorism issue. As voters become more confident that we will not be attacked again, the need for Giuliani drops and their willingness to back Hillary increases.