GOP pollster predicts tough '08 primary

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Republican pollster Bill McInturff is predicting a tough time for the presidential contenders in the 2008 GOP primary.

He says there will be an "unstable" run-up to the primary as long-dormant Republican fault lines emerge and a host of unknown candidates scrambles for the nomination, The Hill reports.

Speaking at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast meeting, McInturff was quoted as saying the two current front-runners for the nomination, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, "do not look like" obvious nominees.

He said the "divisions in the party are going to be much more slugged out in public" in 2007 and 2008.

McInturff also predicted Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., would enter the presidential contest with a 43 percent unfavorable rating.