Two new MPR/Humphrey Institute polls show Democrat Al Franken went from 9 points behind to 4 points ahead of Coleman following congressional approval of the Wall Street bailout plan. Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley’s support held steady at 14 percent, before and after the plan was approved.
It was actually two polls: one before and one after the bailout. Larry Jacobs:
Norm Coleman’s 9-point lead over Al Franken essentially disappears in the wake of the financial bailout that Congress passed. He is really suffering the consequences.
I agree this is true. We talked in September about how Al Franken had continually shown leadership during this crisis from announcing his criteria early and sticking to his word versus Coleman’s lack of communication with the press until he got his talking points and then just “running the play.”
Another interesting thing about this poll was its gauge of enthusiasm:
Jacobs said with such a close contest, turning out supporters will be critical to the candidates. He said an analysis of combined data from the two polls shows Franken’s supporters are much more excited about the election than are Coleman’s.
“About three-quarters of the Franken supporters are enthusiastic, compared to just over half of Coleman’s,” Jacobs said. “This could be a leading indicator that the turnout come Election Day will be much higher for Al Franken. That could be bad news for Sen. Coleman if these numbers continue.”
According to the polls, less than half of Barkley supporters are very or extremely enthusiastic.
Read and hear the whole story on this poll at MPR. They also made the full poll results available as a PDF.
Let’s see what I said in the Star-trib poll thread.
“We should have a decent idea of what is what when the next round of polling comes out.”
Yup. Thanks for the good news, Aaron.
We must know once again what the breakdown of the numbers are, I have a good feeling that it might be similar to the Strib poll. Take comfort in the numbers that make you feel good when all it really is is an oversampling of Democrats.
Okay then, GOPgal. I suggest you look at the PDF. A reminder. It’s hard to “oversample democrats” or at least democratic leaning independents, when the GOP has driven the republican brand off a cliff.
You keep blathering that, though. It makes you sound as unhinged as the rest of the rightwing talking heads on the teevee.
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As long as Franken keeps to the positive ads and continues to engage the voters daily, he will be o.k. Coleman is probably saving his absurd “bowlers” for the last week with some more slime….it matches his fake grin. Maybe Coleman should bring out his “trophy” wife again as that worked real well for him….Not!
Did any of you see that Coleman took $4000 from a Bowling PAC in early 2008, before his awesome ads came out?
If Barkley is polling at 14%, most Barkley voters will vote for Al Franken; as the third-party candidate is unable to receive over a third of the votes.
What voters what a spoiler that sways the election to Coleman? Franken is now in the majority!
With any luck, Greasy Norm is on track to match his 34% showing in the Governor’s race ten years ago.
OK, probably not, but a guy can hope.