Posted on 04/18/2006 6:57:49 AM PDT by Uncledave
April 18, 2006--The son of former Governor Tom Kean (R) now has a seven percentage point advantage in New Jersey's U.S. Senate campaign. The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll in the Garden State shows Republican Tom Kean, Jr. leading Senator Robert Menendez (D) 43% to 36%.
Seven percent (7%) of voters say that they will vote for some other candidate and 14% remain undecided in this Democratic leaning state.
A month ago, Kean held a two-point advantage, 41% to 39%.
Kean has solidified support among Republicans since our last poll while Menendez has lost ground among Democrats. From an ideological perspective, Kean has improved his standing with conservative voters in the state.
Sixty-six percent (66%) of New Jersey voters believe that the U.S. should gain control of its borders and enforce existing laws before considering other immigration reform. Just 29% disagree.
As an ultimate policy goal, 57% of New Jersey voters believe that all should be welcome to legally enter the United States except national security threats, criminals, and those who plan to live off the U.S. welfare system.
Nationally, in purely political terms, Democrats lost ground during the recent Congressional debate concerning immigration. It is not clear whether or not the issue had any particular impact on the New Jersey Senate race.
While Kean leads in the poll, Menendez is currently leading in the fundraising competition. According to recent filings, the incumbent's campaign has more than $6 million cash on hand compared to $2 million for the Kean campaign.
Menendez is the incumbent, having been appointed to replace Jon Corzine (D). Corzine resigned from the Senate after being elected Governor of New Jersey.
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Sixty percent (60%) of New Jersey voters say that tax hikes hurt the economy. Just 15% say that they help. Kean has a solid lead (56% to 26%) among those who believe tax increases are bad for the economy.
Forty-nine percent (49%) of voters say that preparing their taxes is worse than going to the dentist. Thirty-seven percent (37%) say a trip to the dental chair is worse.
The rolling average of the last three Rasmussen Reports election polls in New Jersey is unchanged from a month ago. Using this measure, Kean still leads by just two points 40% to 38%. This suggests that the race still remains very competitive. That, plus the Menendez cash advantage and the Democratic leaning of the state, should keep the Kean campaign from getting comfortable with their lead in the current poll.
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i dont care what the poll says, nj will not elect a republican statewide right now. too many idiot liberals live there.
Kean isn't a Republican.
i dont care what the poll says, nj will not elect a republican statewide right now. too many idiot liberals live there.
I don't care what polls say either, but for a different reason. These poll folks always exaggerate or ask to may dems or to many republicans to make any real guide to them. It is a shame that the polls have become useless because they could be helpful to our side if we see someone who needs additional assistance, but due to the bogus results that have become false, they are not to be trusted anymore. POLLS SUCK and are nonsense now adays unfortunately.
Add to that the fact that the Rats have the dead voter vote locked up and a Republican stands no chance...though it sure would be nice to be proven wrong on this one!
While Kean is a RINO, we are FAR better off having him around for 6 years than a Commie like Menendez who will be there for life once he is an incumbent. He is a disgrace to the Cuban community.
Whether Kean is conservative or not, this cannot be good news to Democrats, who desperately are trying to gain seats. This could be a backlash against Harry Reid and UpChuck Schumer as much as anything else.
Most of NJ voters are really independents. Perot garnished the highest percentage of voters in NJ during the 1992 elections. The independents are mainly libertarian socially, fiscally conservative, but strongly pro education (soccer mom influence). It is Dem stronghold due to coalition between liberal, soccer mom, black, hispanic, teachers, government unions and blue collar union workers. The issue on illegal immigration is playing a decisive role because it undercuts blue collar union and black voters who see illegals undercutting their economic opportunities and wages. The perception in NJ is hispanics will help hispanics no matter what. This is occuring in cities divided between blacks and hispanics. Hispanic politicians will favor hispanics at the expense of blacks. Strong suspicions on Senator Menendez (Cuban American) on how fair he will be and his pro amnesty immigration stance is hurting him.
Free needles for addicts and $250 MILLION for stem cell research.
I don't know anyone in this state who believes those two items are their own priorities.
Ginty may very well cost NJ the chance for a Repubilcan senator.
Much as the conservative candidate nearly gave NY another four years of David Dinkins.
That's odd. Polls are always democrat heavy no matter what. Republicans are too busy working or caring for their families, and are getting too hard for pollsters to contact these days - especially with their technology filtering their phone calls for them. If this poll says 43% (R), then democrats must like him.
John is correct, Kean is not a Repub. He just might be more left than Hagel, Lugar, and McLame.
That is the only way he can stay in this race and still have an R beside his name. It sucks and it what sent me fleeing from the Garden State months ago.
It matters little - this is New Jersey. The Dems will wait until 2 weeks before the election, withdraw Menendez, and throw Bill Bradley in there. If it worked for Torecelli/Lautenberg, it'll work again.
Kean's another RINO, but I suppose he would be better than Menendez.
Very interesting! Thanks for the info!
Polls have become agenda-driven political tools that are used to sway public opinion instead of reflecting it.
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