Posted on 11/16/2005 7:28:54 AM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
(AP) MADISON One year before Election Day, Gov. Jim Doyle holds double-digit leads against both of his Republican rivals and close to two-thirds of those surveyed approve of his performance as Wisconsin's chief executive, a new poll shows.
Spokesmen for Doyle's Republican challengers -- U.S. Rep. Mark Green of Green Bay and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker -- said the poll was out of line with others that show a lower approval rating for the governor.
Pollsters for the Wisconsin Public Radio/St. Norbert College survey cautioned almost a fourth of those surveyed favored other candidates or were unsure of who they support.
Wendy Scattergood, assistant professor of political science at St. Norbert, said Doyle's lead over Green and Walker also reflects poor name recognition of the GOP challengers. She said the numbers will change as both start campaigning harder.
Doyle, a Democrat, was favored by 45 percent of respondents in the survey, compared to 32 for Green. Those surveyed favored Doyle 46-31 over Walker.
The random telephone survey of 400 adult Wisconsin residents was taken between Oct. 31 and Nov. 11. The margin or error was plus or minus five percentage points.
The poll also found 64 percent of respondents said they were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with Doyle's performance as governor.
"It's early and major issues haven't been identified or discussed ... But right now it looks good for Doyle," said Don Kotecki, director of the St. Norbert College Survey Center.
The Green and Walker campaigns pointed out other parts of the survey found voters were pessimistic about their financial future and unhappy with tax rates in Wisconsin.
"I completely disagree with any analysis that says things are looking good for Governor Doyle," Green campaign manager Mark Graul said. "Jim Doyle's re-election is in big trouble."
Walker campaign manager Bruce Pfaff noted Doyle was favored over challengers by fewer than 50 percent of respondents. "It shows he is one of the most vulnerable governors and that people aren't sure they want to elect this guy," he said.
The poll found 40 percent of respondents said they believed they would be better off financially next year than they are this year, an all-time low in the poll's 11-year history.
Such pessimism typically hurts incumbent candidates, but so far it does not appear to be damaging Doyle, Scattergood said.
Rich Judge, Doyle's campaign manager, said the poll shows voters have grown comfortable with Doyle's leadership through tough times.
"It's one year out and obviously you take all polls with a grain of salt," he said. "But we're pretty confident that his record ... is going to stick with voters next November."
Mega Barf Alert
well, this is why the doyle campaign is peeing its pants over the prospect of running against walker...because he has such a big 'lead' over him.
If doyle can't win milwaukee, he can't win wisconsin. And walker CAN win milwaukee.
The rest of the state is just an issue of regular campaigning and advertising. Doyle is so far out of touch with the majority of wisconsin residents on issues like the property tax freeze, voter id, and concealed carry, that all walker needs to do is point out these differences.
Of course, it helps that doyle has been involved in a lot of shady campaign financing, too.
I agree. I don't think this is going to be a cakewalk for Doyle by any means. I hope the Republicans unload on him with both barrels and point up all of his shady dealings, and his liberal use of the Veto Pen on ANY and ALL legislation proposed by Republicans.
Last I heard, a Governor is to serve the needs of ALL people in his state, not just the Looney Leftists.
....are widely thought to be totally whacked and biased by us, the people who are consistently ignored by them.
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