While the latest Rasmussen Reports survey has Franken and Coleman in a 45%-45% tie, the KSTP / Survey USA polls have historically given Coleman a significant lead. That lead was almost cut in half. Also, Coleman’s lead among women is also down 9 last month. I guess Minnesotans saw right through the right-wing lies about Franken’s stance on women’s issues and they understand the difference between comedy and what Franken represents as a Senate candidate.
The numbers are finally starting to shift in the Senate race, and this could mean serious trouble for Norm Coleman. Franken has finally turned around a campaign that had some trouble in the beginning, with plenty of time remaining for the sprint to the finish.
- Franken has to shore up his base, but they should be he most persuadable voters. This survey shows support in the mid-70s for Franken among Democrats. That will most likely increase.
- Coleman still has a lead among women voters at 42-39, but Coleman’s support is dropping here as well. Franken should end up winning women voters by the election.
- The poll shows a Coleman lead among independents of 49-30. That, too, is probably as big a difference as we will see moving forward. Franken will get higher than 30% and with Barkley in the race, I can’t see Coleman getting 49%.
When people continue to learn more about these two candidates, I don’t see how Coleman’s support is going to increase. Franken has spent a lot of time traveling around the state laying the groundwork for an issues-based campaign, fighting for Minnesotans. When more people get to know Franken, his support will grow. Coleman just wants to be re-elected so he can keep being a Senator. More and more people are figuring that out.
While this poll is a little better than previous polls, once the primary is over and the Republicans are assured that Franken is their target, I expect more dirt to be exposed. This poll will be the best Franken showing from here on.
Patrick, what I’m hearing from the independents and moderates is that they’re mighty (cheney)in’ sick of the attack ads bein’ run by both Team Franken and Team Smokescreen.
And I’m hearing a lot of them say “a POX on BOTH of their houses; I’m voting for Barkley.”
Questions: Will the continued negative ads help Franken more than Coleman, if the volleying drives moderates and independents towards Barkley?
I’d guess it’ll help Franken more than Coleman.
The Senate race will go down to the wire. This is getting interesting.
AS IS the Presidential race in MN!! Rasmussen (yes, Rasmussen, traditionally generous for the Dems) has Obama 4 pts ahead of McCain, within the 4.5% margin of error!!!
It’s getting interesting!
Please send Al Franken to Woodbury. We Republicans would love for him to be the face of the Democrat party in the 2008 election. Especially in Woodbury.
DtM - just more proof of the power of negative advertising.
Wow. Dumb, you’re sort of like, a cross between a parrot and and elephant. I didn’t know they bred.
Well, lo - Scrotee demonstrates that rabid hyenas can procreate with elephants….
TwoPuttTommy: I agree. Dean Barkley got some DFL votes in ‘96 because A) Democrats were bored and restless that year, and B) polls showed Wellstone ahead by a comfortable enough margin that it looked safe to throw their votes away. Some very different dynamics are at play in 2008. It looks like the Senate race could be a nail-biter, and Democrats really aren’t in the mood to lose a third presidential election in a row.
This is, of course, assuming that Barkley wins the IP primary. At seven candidates, that’s half the IP’s remaining members running for the seat.
LOL@ the last paragraph of another chris’ post.
Did swiffer get his IP banned?