"2008 Corner Store Straw Poll"

Another measure of early support for potential 2008 candidates is merchandise sales. This is an excerpt from what Hotline had to say on it:

If America is truly a market-driven society, then the sales at "Political Americana" in downtown Washington should tell us a little something about which politicians the voters are willing to invest in. The store, located on the corner of Penn and 14th, carries everything from full-size Ronald Reagan cutouts to Washington Monument trinkets. But it also carries a healthy stock of 2008 campaign paraphernalia (all home-made of course) and tracks who is leading what could be called the Corner Store Straw Poll.

Republicans were much more spread out: Condoleezza Rice was the fan-favorite. Her ’08 buttons outsold all other GOPers with 14% of the 239 sales. Also in the mix were Mitt Romney with 13% and Rudy Giuiliani, carrying 12%. Where was John McCain, you ask? At a meager 7%, fewer than rival GOP maverick Chuck Hagel (9%).

Sure, it’s just another straw poll. But it’s the only one we know about where voters actually put their money where their mouths are. [PATRICK OTTENHOFF]

9% is quite good at this point, I'd say.