Poll Among Conservatives Shows Positive Trends For November
Huckabee, Thompson, Romney Favored By Increasingly Optimistic Grassroots Conservatives

1/16/07, For Immediate Release. Grassfire.org

Maxwell, IA . Grassroots conservatives are steadily coming back to the Republican Party and focusing on two core issues of the war on terror and immigration, according to a new survey released by Grassfire.org.

The nation's largest statistically valid survey of grassroots conservatives has found that 78% are now affiliating with the G.O.P., up 3% from December and 8% since September. In addition, grassroots conservataives overwhelmingly pick the war on terror and immigration as their two top issues and support for the war in Iraq continues to climb. "An increasingly positive view on the war, a clarity of key issues and stronger distinctions between the two major parties seem to be bringing conservatives back to the G.O.P. tent," says Steve Elliott, President of Grassfire.org. "The base isn't fully home yet, but the trend lines should be encouraging.

Thompson Shows Recovery, Most Trusted On Immigration
The poll , which was taken during the three days leading up to the New Hampshire primary, also found that Fred Thompson has recovered some of the overall support he lost last spring. "This marks a strong potential for a swing in Thompson's favor, but the South Carolina primary will likely decide whether this increase grows or quickly dissipates," says Elliott. Thompson along with Huckabee and Romney are receiving the most support among grassroots conservatives, according to the poll. All three top the poll in support in the primaries and support in the general election.

Thompson is also the most trusted on the issue of immigration, according to those surveyed. ON the question of which candidate they can trust to actually secure the borders if elected president, Thompson (35%) finished first ahead of Hucakbee by seven percentage points.

Other key findings:

•Giuliani no longer expected to win: Not surprisingly, conservatives no longer expect Giuliani to win and now expect Huckabee to prevail.

•Giuliani and McCain least liked by conservatives.

Which Republican candidate has articulated the clearest agenda for securing the borders, building a border fence and stopping illegal immigration? (select one)
Fred Thompson 21% (+6%)
Mike Huckabee 17% (-3%)
Duncan Hunter 17% (+6%)
Mitt Romney 16% (+7%)
Ron Paul 10% (-3%)
Rudy Giuliani 6%
John McCain 7% (+3%)

Which Republican candidates do you trust to, if elected President, ACTUALLY secure the borders, build a border fence, oppose amnesty and stop illegal immigration? (select ALL that apply)
Fred Thompson 35%
Mike Huckabee 26%
Mitt Romney 25%
Duncan Hunter 20%
Ron Paul 14%
Rudy Giuliani 13%
John McCain 13%

REGARDLESS OF YOUR POLITICAL AFFILIATION, who do you think WILL WIN the Democratic party’s nomination for president in 2008? (select one)
Barack Obama 54%(+28%)
Hillary Clinton 32% (-30%)
John Edwards 11% (+3%)