Posted on 09/11/2006 3:42:21 PM PDT by okstate
After garnering support levels in the high 50s for the last several months, Democratic Senator Robert Byrd has pierced the 60% threshold in our polling to now lead Republican John Raese 63% to 30%.
That adds eight points to the spread. Our August survey showed the Senator over-flying his Republican opponent 56% to 31%, a mere twenty-five-point advantage.
Byrd, the longest-serving member of the U.S. Senate, is known for his oratory, unabashed vigor in bringing pork projects to his state, and opposition to the war in Iraq. Should he win, he will be 89 as he begins his new term.
A West Virginia paper noted in a recent editorial that the Republican challenger is still being sighted on the campaign trail, implying that Raese's efforts to replace Byrd, albeit foundering, are not yet dead.
Senator Byrd is viewed favorably by 74%, "very favorably" by 47%. Reese is viewed favorably by 42%, "very favorably" by only 12%; 23% view him "very unfavorably."
Another popular Democrat in the state is Governor Joe Manchin; his job performance wins 79% overall approval, 41% strong approval. The latter figure is close to the proportion, 42%, who "strongly disapprove" of the performance of President Bush.
The frequent discrepancy in how Republican voters and Democratic voters view the ideology of their candidates is quite marked in Byrd's case. Fifty-six percent (56%) of Republicans see the Senator as politically liberal, 21% as moderate. By contrast, 46% of Democrats see him as moderate, only 18% as liberal. And an even greater number of Democrats, 28%, see him as conservative.
Raese is seen as conservative by a plurality of each of these groups, and by 55% of liberals.
Funny, but 33 points is also Sheets Byrd's functional IQ, now that he is demented. Ever hear this loon talk recently?
prettyyy prettyyy prettyy
Why on earth would West Virginia which has become more conservative in recent years and voted for Bush twice vote for this unabashed liberal, Bush basher and looney tune like Byrd? I guess the same could have been said of Strom Thurmond, but who the hell wants an 89 year old Senator who already looks like he's quickly approaching Crypt Keeper status in terms of appearance? I don't know, I just don't get how some people vote and think sometimes, or don't think as is more appropo to this.
I can't believe the good people of West Virginia are willing to pay this man over 100k a year to sleep in the chairs of the Senate chamber day in and day out.
Pork...he delivers the pork.
West Virginia is a relatively poor state and Byrd brings home the big federal dollars.
Oh, bugger.
He's going to get 100% of the Klan vote, like he always does!
Proving once again that the people of West Virginia are for sale. Keep that Pork rolling in and you have a lifetime job.
I have to say West Virginia isnt the only state that way. massachusetts is just as bad, and here in Maryland Steny Hoyer is the great porker.
I think we just keep him around because we need something besides our relatives and neighbors to call "As old as the hills." On the other hand, Joe Mancin seems to be a decent guy.
I feel sorry for the West Virginia voters: they seem to "get it" when it comes to Presidential elections, but don't understand how a jerk like Byrd can hurt us.
Yes it is a shame. However, the very least the State of WV should consider, is pulling this old geezer's license, which by the way, I just happen to have a copy.
The Klan must be so proud. The former Kleagle or Beagle or whatever the hell those nitwits call themselves gets to stay in the Senate. America loses for another 6 years.
"Why on earth would West Virginia which has become more conservative in recent years and voted for Bush twice vote for this unabashed liberal?"
Look at who they elected as their other Senator for your answer.
LLS
How big is his lead over the Grim Reaper? I hear it's getting down to the wire.
What is it about this old fart that keeps him getting re-elected time after time? All the money (read PORK) he brings to his constituents or what???
He bought this state with our tax money, what do you expect his tenants to do?
What else can you expect from people who wouldn't sodomize a goat unless it was a near relation?
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