[Solson]

Interesting poll. A random sample of 628, after Kerry posts big wins and big media in Iowa and New Hampshire, and he only polls to a dead heat with Bush.

That doesn't bode well for Kerry moving forward, IMO.

[Alberta's Child]

There are any number of states that will be described as "toss-ups" in November, but Minnesota is one that I would describe as a "bellweather" state from the GOP perspective -- if Bush wins Minnesota, there's no way he loses this election.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

This is exactly why the stock market is plummeting.

All it takes is the slightest hint, no matter how unlikely, that a DEMO(N)cRAT might become the next President.

[republicanwizard]

Well, this isn't good for Bush in the sense that he is losing Minnesota by three points. That substantiates national polling data showing Kerry with a slight advantage, in much the same way Gore had a slight advantage in the end.

Bush really has to start getting out there and hitting the stump. He has to start talking about issues which matter. And he has to maker a stronger, intellectual case for war other than merely restating "Saddam was an approaching danger."

I love George W. Bush and will do everything within my power to re-elect him. That includes making sure that every member of Wiz's family has voted for the President. However, he needs to help me and the rest of us.

And cut the damn federal spending!

[JohnnyZ]

Just registered voters makes it a little weird, but probably a positive poll from GWB's point of view. I feel pretty good going into an election against Senator Botox.

[Republican Red]

An excerpt from an email I got from Bush-Cheney '04 after New Hampshire primary:

"Finally, per my memos from last April and November, expect us to be behind at some point in the coming weeks because of the closely divided nature of the country. This is something we have long expected, and when the nominee is nearly secure for the Democrats, they will (as Kerry has already) get a tremendous amount of positive press coverage nationally."

[TYVets]

" ,according to the poll commissioned by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Minnesota Public Radio."

Public Radio ? An Honest poll ?

I can't help it, the words public radio or public tv and my antenni are on point!

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Yep, and Dean was up by HUGE margins in Iowa...

It's so nice to be flooded by "news" of polling data, which, by the way, is normally off by 30% or more.

[smith288]

Minnesota a dead heat tells me that all blue states are also going to be potential toss ups. Some will go Botox but if Bush can pull Minn, Penn, maybe even California then we are golden.

[beckysueb]

Bush is just waiting to see who his opponent is going to be. Then you'll see his campaign.

[mewzilla]

The telephone poll of 625 random Minnesota voters was taken Jan. 26-28, shortly after Kerry's victories in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

It's a cheesy poll. Small sample, and notice they don't say if the voters were even registered or likely voters. This poll is worthless.

[Kaisersrsic]

In 2000, the vote in Minnesota was not really close -- Gore 47.91%, Nader 5.20%, and Bush 45.50%. I would say Bush is ahead of the game.

[Paradox]

These polls right now dont mean diddly! They results at this point are usually the same, the incumbent not looking too good against a potential challenger. Thats because the incumbent already has had all his laundry and bad points aired out, and the challenger is a "relative" unknown.

The polls start to means something when the challenger has been definately picked, and the campaign has had some time. The Democrats have had a free-for-all against Bush, and he has yet to hit back... .

[KellyAdmirer]

As I recall, Clinton started running ads early in 1996, and it was very effective. I hope Bush does not wait too long to get some up.

[Vinnie_Vidi_Vici]

I think it was Paul Wellstone's Posthumous endorsement of Kerry that pushed this poll over the top. Wellstone is spearheading a huge "get out the vote" drive at the Cemetary.

[Mamzelle]

You know, after the past month's speeches and WH initiatives, should I care one way or the other? Should I work or support W, or turn my resources instead to helping some of the conservatives working to get elected to Congress and the Senate?

I happen to know a few truckers. Today, I heard that W wants their jobs to go to "willing" Mexican drivers. And I drove enough in Mexico to get the chills thinking about big rigs corriendo en los Estados Unidos.

Except for the tax cut and the fight against terrorism, Bush has bent his will against conservatives. Do you realize that the deficit is higher in real dollars than it's ever been? That the Medicare prescrip plan will cost fully a third more than W said? And now, we are to turn our sovereignty over to Mexico.

Kerry? Should I care?

[The Great RJ]

How do you compare candidates when Kerry hasn't really said what he would do different if he were president except raise taxes. How are these people making their decision?? With Minnesota Pubic (intended pun) Radio involved they probably have tapped heavily into the hate Bush crowd who don't represent more than a minority of Minnesotans.

[Logic n' Reason]

I cannot believe that this topic holds much interest for anyone. Who the heck cares what Minnesota thinks now?? Remember: Bush has not yet even begun to campaign yet. His "warchest" grows daily. He is also being given all the opponent's arguements ahead of time - so to speak.

We all need to just sit back, read some good books, watch some quality TV (if you can find it), and wait until about mid to late summer.

I believe our Commander in Chief will then begin the offensive...and I know he'll do just fine!

Be at peace...the real war has not yet even begun. Just alot of noise from the Dems signifying absolutely nothing.

[Dan from Michigan]

This is going to be a close race, no matter who it is.

But considering that Bush's campaign is just in the organizational, behind the scences stuff, and money stages right now - this isn't unexpected.

And peaking early is a bad thing.

[Little Ray]

Isn't Minnesota a "Blue" state anyway? Bush polling even there would be pretty good.

[Aeronaut]

Dead heat from the state that sent Hubert Humphry to the senate with solid 75% votes - that voted for Mondull for resident..., This is GOOD folks.