Poll: Voters Believe Louisiana Sent a Positive Message {With Blanco Election}

Shreveport, LA, Times ^ | 12-11-03 | Hill, John

[Theodore R.]

Poll: Voters believe state sent a positive message John Hill Posted on December 11, 2003

BATON ROUGE - Seven out of 10 Louisiana voters agree the election of the new governor Nov. 15 sent a positive message to the rest of the country.

The Council for A Better Louisiana found that even half of those who voted for Republican Bobby Jindal of Baton Rouge believed Democrat Kathleen Blanco's election is a plus for the state.

The Wirthlin Worldwide Group of Utah conducted the CABL poll of 600 voters Nov. 17-19, the Monday through Wednesday immediately following the runoff. It has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

The poll shows that 12 percent of voters made up their minds the day of the election or just a few days beforehand, which CABL President Barry Erwin said is about double what he finds in most states.

"I think people have a good feeling about the outcome of the election. The poll shows that going into office, Kathleen Blanco has a tremendous amount of good will among voters."

Only 27 percent believed the election did not send a good message to the rest of the nation in the days after the vote.

"It was not a polarizing election, so she goes into office with a state less divided," Erwin said.

The primary election eliminated the traditionally successful white male candidates, political scientist Pearson Cross of the University of Louisiana-Monroe said. "This was an election about change. And the two candidates most associated with a break from the past were the candidates who made the runoff," he said.

[Theodore R.]

LA and AR could be in doubt for Bush next year; the GOP had better target WI and OR to make up for possible losses in the Deep South.

[squidly]

"It was not a polarizing election, so she goes into office with a state less divided," Erwin said.

Oh so true. It's only polarizing when a Republican wins.

[Coop]

The GOP has made huge gains in AR among self-identified voters. Can't see them losing it. Concerning LA, the recent gov race was between two pretty conservative candidates. I'd say that bodes well for Dubya keeping LA in his column.

[deport]

I'd say that bodes well for Dubya keeping LA in his column.

---

Should Dean be the democrat candidate I can't just see LA voters rushing to the polls to vote for that left wing liberal who wants the votes of those with pick'em trucks, gun racks and confederate flags..... I don't think the rural white vote will leave President Bush like they did Jindal.

But then some were predicting a wipe out of the Republicans in Texas by the 'dream team' in 02.....

[futureceo31]

If they didnt vote for Gore in 2000, they sure aint going to be voting for Dean this time around. Also, you are correct in regards to Jindal. I think there was some racism in play there and also, the last minute negative ads that Blanco run after she promised she wouldnt. By now, repbs should know that we cannot trust Dims no matter what they say. We have to go out there with all guns blazing and take no prisoners..

[danneskjold]

Barry Erwin is a shill...

[KantianBurke]

This the guy in charge of the poll? Louisiana sucks. First Terrell now Jindal. They deserve whatever their Rat govt gives them.

[danneskjold]

Louisiana sucks.

Well now, that's not very nice at all...