Posted on 09/04/2006 10:50:30 AM PDT by CedarDave
Buoyed by strong Democratic support and a notable showing among Republicans and conservatives, Gov. Bill Richardson has a wide lead for re-election over Republican challenger John Dendahl.
Fifty-seven percent of registered voters surveyed in the Journal's first poll of the season said they would vote for Richardson in the Nov. 7 election. Twenty-eight percent backed Dendahl.
Eleven percent were undecided, according to the statewide poll, which was conducted last week and had a margin of error of 3.7 percentage points. Four percent said they wouldn't vote for either candidate.
The poll was based on a sample of 674 registered voters statewide who said they are likely to go to the polls.
Dendahl, a former chairman of the state GOP, got into the race late, after Republican nominee J.R. Damron dropped out. Known for being aggressive and outspoken, Dendahl has already launched attacks against several of Richardson's positions and actions.
<< snip >>
The latest Journal poll found support for Richardson across a broad range of voters. He led Dendahl in every region of the state, among men and women, among Anglo as well as Hispanic voters, all age groups and every income level.
Although Dendahl led among voters who described themselves as conservatives with 44 percent, 40 percent of them said they would vote for Richardson.
For Richardson ... support among conservatives showed that his political strategy of trying to appeal to as many voters as possible— with tax cuts in particular— was paying off, Sanderoff said.
F. Chris Garcia, political science professor emeritus at UNM, agreed. "He has done things to appeal to conservatives," Garcia said of Richardson. "His camp has known he has to appeal to a broad spectrum. They have been broadcasting his tax cuts and that seems to be the main thing."
(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...
Even though his tax cuts are somewhat slight of hand (give from one hand, take from the other) and more easily given with the current strength of the State's oil and gas economy, just the fact that he can say "tax cut" bolsters his support. This brand of populism resonates with the voters more so than Hillary's shrill "We'll take your money for 'common good'" speech and the Democrats would be well versed to follow Richardson's lead. Unfortunately, for the rest of us, he's cast in the Slick Willie mold with public statements of concern hiding back room deals, free trips from rich campaign supporters and cushy state jobs for political pals.
The latest I've heard is he will be lilely traveling to Sudan to obtain the release of a reporter captured in the religious/ethnic violence there.
Good Morning Dave.
Wet morning down here -- been raining non-stop since Friday night -- not monsoon type heavy, just steady, gentle rain. I feel like I'm driving around south Texas!
We had two completely overcast days Saturday and Sunday, haven't seen that for a number of years.
The NM Republican party is hopeless....
Shouldn't headline be "Richardson Has Big Head" ?
LOL
This isn't surprising. The race was never in play.
Now, I'm wondering if they did a poll on Jeff Bingaman vs. Allen McCulloch?
Yes, here:
Longtime Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman has a substantial lead over Republican newcomer Allen McCulloch, according to the first Journal poll on the U.S. Senate race.
Bingaman, a Silver City native seeking his fifth term, had the support of 62 percent of voters polled. McCulloch, a Farmington urologist, was backed by 23 percent. Sixteen percent were undecided.
I'm voting for Dendahl, not because I think he'll make a good Governor. It's just my little protest against Richardson's dirty tricks and endless cronyism. If figure keeping him under 60% would be a big win for the Republican party.
I also refuse to vote for Bingaman again. I've met him and he's a decent enough guy, but I don't agree with his liberal policies.
Bingaman ahead by 62% to 23%? OUCH! That sucks out loud.
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