Thirty-nine percent (39%) of American adults say it’s Very Likely the race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination will continue until the Convention. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that another 34% believe it is Somewhat Likely that the race will not be determined until all the delegates gather. Fifteen percent (15%) say that outcome is Not Very Likely or Not at All Likely.

There is no significant difference between Democrats and others on this question.

If the race continues until the convention, 45% of all adults believe that will hurt the Democrats chances of winning in November. Seventeen percent (17%) say it will help the Democrats while 25% say it will have no impact. Among Democrats, 20% believe it will help while 43% believe it will hurt.

Fifty percent (50%) believe it is Very Likely that the Democratic race will get nastier and more negative. Another 27% say that is Somewhat Likely to occur. Among Democrats, 35% say the Primary Campaign is Very Likely to get nastier and 33% believe it is Somewhat Likely to do so.

One bit of nastiness has already entered the mainstream—54% of all adults knew that Barack Obama was the candidate accused of plagiarism. Just 14% thought it was Clinton while 31% were unsure.

Overall, 55% of Americans believe the Presidential election will be close in November. Twenty-six percent (26%) believe the fall campaign will yield a big victory for the Democrats while 8% expect a Big Victory for the Republicans.

Democrats are very bullish about their prospects—44% expect a big victory for their team while 43% expect it to be close.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of Republicans expect a close election while 15% think the GOP will enjoy a decisive victory.

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