Posted on 04/08/2006 8:27:58 AM PDT by new yorker 77
Wednesday afternoon Rasmussen Reports released a poll on the Pennsylvania Senate race that raised a few eyebrows. The poll showed Senator Santorum trailing State Treasurer Bob Casey by nine points (50-41), representing the first time Santorum had closed the gap with Casey to single digits in the seven polls taken by Rasmussen dating back to July 20th of last year.
That was not the most notable result from the poll, however. After asking for initial preference, Rasmussen informed respondents that the National Organization for Women (NOW) is concerned about Casey's stance on abortion and is endorsing another candidate in the Democratic primary. When voters were asked again for preference after hearing this piece of information, Casey's support dropped significantly among Democrats and Independents while Santorum's support with Republicans rose. The result was a five point lead for Santorum over Mr. Casey, 46-41.
The results of a Quinnipiac University poll taken March 28 - April 3, however, appear to contradict Rasmussen's finding. According to Quinnipiac, only nine percent of Democrats who identified themselves as pro-choice and had expressed support for Casey indicated they would change their vote solely over the issue of abortion.
Nevertheless, both polls show overall movement toward Santorum: in the Quinnipiac poll he has closed the gap from a 15-point deficit six weeks ago to only eleven points today, 48-37. Rasmussen's latest indicated a 7-point tightening from a previous poll conducted in February.
Also worth noting is that Casey's favorable/unfavorable spread also continues to erode. In December, Casey enjoyed a +34% bulge in net favorability, compared to Santorum's modest +7% net favorable rating. Today Casey's net favorability rating is down to +23% (33 favorable - 10 unfavorable), while Santorum is now running at even (32 favorable - 32 unfavorable).
On the surface those favorability numbers might appear to be bad news for Santorum. But having been in office since 1994, Santorum is a known quantity to Pennsylvania voters. One would expect the favorability gap to continue to close as the race kicks in to high gear - a factor which could work to continue to shrink Casey's overall lead.
Posted by Tom Bevan at 07:53 AM
That sounds like it should remain Santorum's business. TMI.
The worst thing about Santorum has been his squishy position on illegal immigration, and that's going to make or break him in PA...which has a ton of illegals pouring in.
One good thing that I've seen him doing on immigration is that he keeps introducing amendments to give special immigration status to Poland.
It's a shame that as much as they have supported us over the past few years that they haven't been attached to a bill that passes.
Sanatorum needs to turn up the heat on Casey. There is nothing more irresponsible than voting for Democrats of any stripe given the national leadership and the openly anti-American, pro-tax raising, pro-abortion, pro-homosexual agenda they present. Now in the middle of a war is not the time to turn the country over to a party that openly sympathizes with the enemy. Also anyone who thinks Democrats will be any better on illegal immigration are deluding themselves. The choices may not be good but the alternative is to turn the country over to the party of Alec Baldwin and Michael Moore. That is not a choice, that is a disaster.
I have known many people--Brits, Japanese, Europeans, who have had to go through bureaucratic hell to get a green card or become citizens. That seems to be the only function the Immigration Service or whatever they call themselves now has--to keep out honest, desirable citizens, while criminal illegals flood in over the borders unchecked.
Evidently that's what their political masters want.
Squishy position on illegal immigration, do you know what his position is and can you post a place (link) to see that said position?
IMHO diversity means diversity and assimulation means assimulation. Quotas should be fair and enforced. In my view, certain Countrys are WAY over quota. The Country directly South of our border has used up theirs, already, for the next 1999 years. IMHO.. (My SIL is Polish.. but I am not biased in any way ;^) ). Whenever a post is presented, it should not crap on a politician and should present evidence of the facts.
Smerconish (or fellow WPHT Philly talk radio host Dom Giordano... I forget which) has said for years that Santorum will destroy Casey in debates.
LOL... I'm more than a little challenged on Poker, but your tag line I'm holding.
Casey Loses Primary Debate
Although few doubt Bobby Casey Jr. will lose the three-way primary for the Democrat nomination, the Keystone State's perpetual candidate illustrated during a debate Saturday night why even his most ardent supporters are anxious about his odds of keeping a lead on Senator Rick Santorum when likely voters tune into the race several weeks from now.
Casey was upstaged by primary challenger Chuck Pennacchio, an unapolegetic liberal who scored point after point with the crowd by ripping Casey for having pallid position statements. Casey was only a notch more charismatic than his usual boring self. Pennacchio demonstrated a far superior mastery of facts and figures, not to mention poise, color, and aplomb. Casey, the only candidate sans neck tie, seemed smugly complacent with his boring answers and delivery. An argument could be made that Alan Sandals took second and Casey third. Regardless, Pennacchio was the clear winner, likely leaving Democrat insiders with heartburn.
thanks for the ping.
I am very worried about this race and have sent donations to Rick's campaign. Howard Dean would take it as a personal victory if Santorum were defeated. Casey is squishey on right to life - he is not as strong as his late father was. His father refused to support BillClinton but the son supported Kerry. You cannot be genuinely pro life and back John Kerry. I hope pro lifers in PA realize that.
I am praying for Rick to win. He would be a very good President one day.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.