Interesting Gallup poll results on potential U.S. presidential candidates. The poll asked respondents of both parties to rate candidates according to their “acceptability” or “unacceptability,” in order to see, I guess, how things might shake out in the long run. Actual leaders and laggers in the overall horse race are somewhat less interesting at this stage — since the race hasn’t even started — but if particular candidates have very high “unacceptable” ratings, it’s presumably an indication that there is a real ceiling on how well they can ultimately do.

On that basis, the story of the poll is that the oft-considered most realistic front-runner for the Republicans — John McCain — was rated as “unacceptable” by a whopping 41% of Republican respondents. His championing of campaign finance “reform” (considered an attack on the First Amendment by many conservatives) and his perceived wishy-washiness on some conservative social issues has obviously defined him, and not in an advantageous way.

Rudy Giuliani, by contrast, only has an “unacceptable” rating of 25%. That’s interesting, since Rudy is known to be to the left of McCain on many social issues.

I think another factor in play is that of character. Rudy is perceived as direct and upfront. McCain is perceived as being a bit weaselly — the “straight-talk express” notwithstanding. It can also not have escaped any Republican voter’s perception that McCain is a media darling, and that he gives all that love right back. Whenever there’s a hint of an excuse, McCain is there on the talk shows making himself seen and heard, and not always in a way that helps conservative causes.

Other especially high “unacceptable” ratings were registered by Dick Cheney (61%) and Jeb Bush (52%). You might judge that those ratings come less from antipathy towards them as individuals, and more from a perception that they couldn’t win. In any case, neither seems to be running.

Someone else who is likely running is Mitt Romney, and he carries a weighty “unacceptable” rating of 42%. The Mormon factor, or the Massachusetts factor? Both seem likely to hamper his chances.

Condi Rice is the closest to Giuliani overall, with a 68% “acceptable” rating versus just 29% “unacceptable.” I haven’t expected that she is going to run, but I personally wouldn’t rule out the possibility that her position on that will evolve. Her candidacy would be so galvanizing, frankly, that she can probably afford to make a decision relatively late.

Many pundits’ presumed favorite “solid conservative” candidate, George Allen, has a seemingly less-than-significant balanced rating, of 36% “acceptable” versus 35% “unacceptable.” That’s probably more to do with people knowing very little about him than anything else. It seems about time he started getting out there in a big way. However, his Meet The Press appearance last Sunday seemed pretty anaemic to yours truly — based on that, it seems he will have to improve a great deal to assume the front-runner position that some believe is his to ultimately assume.

So, that’s RWB’s election handicapping for today. (Let me know if you need help managing your campaign! Get your order in now before rates go way up.)

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