Poll: Sen. Lindsey Graham’s 2014 re-election chances uncertain

The Washington Times ^ | September 25, 2013 | Alex Hopkins & Seth McLaughlin

[jazusamo]

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham may be in for a bumpy ride in his bid to secure a third term in November 2014, a new poll suggests.

The Clemson University poll released Wednesday found that Mr. Graham enjoys far more tepid support among his fellow Republicans than other state GOP leaders, even as he faces a competitive primary against a trio of conservative challengers. Poll author David Woodard, a Clemson political scientist, found that just 53 percent of the 500 Republicans surveyed hold a favorable view of Mr. Graham, compared to 36 percent who had an unfavorable view.

This stands in stark contrast to South Carolina’s other Republican senator, Tim Scott. Although Mr. Scott has far lower name-recognition numbers among voters, he holds a 69 percent to 6 percent approval-disapproval rating among South Carolina Republicans. GOP Gov. Nikki Haley also is popular with the party base, with a 70 percent to 18 percent approval-disapproval rating.

Mr. Woodard said that the high disapproval margin posed a threat to Mr. Graham, reflecting his often tense relations with conservative and tea party activists in the state. During President Obama’s first term, Mr. Graham backed Mr. Obama’s nominations of Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court. More recently, Mr. Graham has pushed for immigration reform and military engagement with Syria.

“Most incumbents have a ‘re-elect regardless’ number in the 30s, so the governor’s numbers are quite strong,” Mr. Woodard told the State newspaper in Columbia. “That cannot be said about Graham.”

[Bill W was a conservative]

Welcome to Free Republic. You are not from South Carolina, are you? The Republican nominee for senator in 2014 will win the seat.

[JRandomFreeper]

No, this has been explained before. SC has a run-off election. The more the merrier at the beginning. As long as Graham doesn't get 50%+

/johnny

[trubolotta]

I understand in SC in the primary the winner has to have over 50% so there being three challengers it’s not such a problem.

If 4 run for the Repub nomination, I don't see a clear cut winner if they split. Would that mean a run-off if no one has 50%?

[JRandomFreeper]

Graham may not make one of the top 2. He may be out after the first round and not make it to the run-off. That's what I'm praying for.

/johnny

[trubolotta]

Thanks - saw this after I made my second post.

[ExTexasRedhead]

All RINO debris must be challenged in their primary and/or voted out in disgrace. The political Elites no longer represent their constituents; they represent their own self-serving interests, IMO.

[JRandomFreeper]

Would that mean a run-off if no one has 50%?

Correct. The top two go to run-off.

The more at the beginning, the less chance Graham has of being one of those two.

/johnny

[Bill W was a conservative]

Amen, brother.

[freedom462]

I have all the faith in the world that an actual conservative will be representing South Carolina in the Senate in 2014, even though I am not from South Carolina and so i am actually not too worried about it. I do feel though that one should remember at all times that getting rid of leaders we do not like is always only half the battle. That is a universal principle.

[freedom462]

All I am saying is we get a principled conservative into that seat and THEN break out the celebrations. But to be sure, I am not truly worried about it and have full faith that principled conservatives iN South Carolina will get the job done.

[jazusamo]

That would be fantastic, it would make him really feel unwanted. LOL!

[Bill W was a conservative]

Agreed. However, none of the apparent challengers seems to be running to Graham’s left.

[JRandomFreeper]

Does Graham have a left? John F. Kennedy was more conservative than Graham.

/johnny

[upchuck]

Others have responded. But for the record and for others who may be wondering:

If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote in the primary, a runoff will be held between the top two vote-getters.

Voters who voted in a party's primary, can vote only in the runoff of the same party. Voters who did not vote in the primary, may vote in either party's runoff.

The primary is for Democratic and Republican candidates only. Candidates running unopposed for their Party's nomination will not appear on primary ballots.

Voters may not vote in a political party's runoff if they voted in another political party's primary. However, voters who did not vote in either politicial party's primary may vote in either politicial party's runoff.

A defeated primary candidate may not actively offer or campaign as a write-in candidate for the ensuing election. The use of posters or stickers on the ballot is not permitted. The voting machine provides for a voter to write-in a candidate. Write-in votes are not allowed in primary elections or the election of President or Vice-president.

While the state permits fusion (a candidate may be nominated by multiple parties), if a candidate runs for and looses a primary (of any party), the candidate cannot appear on the November ballot.

Source.

[jospehm20]

Yes. I think lots of RINOs may be in trouble after this Obamacare deal is over.

[upchuck]

53 percent of the 500 Republicans surveyed hold a favorable view of Mr. Graham

IMHO, 53 Percent is way, way too high. Cash, Bright and Mace better get a move on.

Uber RINO Lindsey Ping
"Republican by day, Democrat by night."

Want on or off this ping list?
Just FReepmail me

[upchuck]

Please see #36.

[SC_Pete]

It is disgusting that a conservative state is represented by Miss Lindsey.

[Bill W was a conservative]

Ha ha. Yes, the CBC. I am not going to miss him.

[Liberty Wins]

Have the good people in N. Carolina ever inadvertently elected a non-conservative because there were too many on the ballot?