Keyes Lags Behind Obama In CBS Poll (Osama 67% Keyes 28%)

CBS 2 Chicago ^ | August 9, 2004

[RWR8189]

CHICAGO (CBS 2) Illinois' senate race is heating up with both Democrat Barack Obama and new Republican candidate Alan Keyes in town pressing the flesh and warming up to voters.

The Republican candidate in this race may just be getting started, but according to an exclusive new CBS 2/Newsradio 780 poll, Keyes has a long way to go. 67 percent of Illinois voters prefer Democrat Obama; 28 percent would choose Keyes.

Keyes and his supporters were feeling the heat of the August sun as he announced for U.S. Senate at a crowded rally in Arlington Heights. Our exclusive voter opinion survey shows Obama generating another kind of heat.

Obama's lead in our CBS 2/Newsradio 780 Survey was most pronounced among women voters, 74 percent to 21percent for Keyes. Among men, it was 59 percent to 36 percent.

There was no surprise in strongly Democratic Chicago: 79 percent for Obama, 16 percent for Keyes.

But in the heavily Republican collar counties, it was Obama with 62 percent, Keyes with 34 percent. . Even downstate, 56 percent of those polled preferred Obama to 38 percent for Keyes. The results were almost the same in rural areas: 57 percent to 39 percent.

Virtually every Democrat we talked to favored Obama. Among independent voters, 64 percent chose Obama, 30 percent chose Keyes. Even among Republicans, 27 percent defected to Obama, 67 percent chose Keyes.

White voters went 62 percent to 32 percent for Obama; black voters by a margin of 89 percent to 10 percent.

The poll was conducted by Survey USA this past Friday and Saturday. It is accurate to within plus or minus four percentage points.

[Falcon4.0]

That's not even the Bad News. This poll was taken of just the dead voters in Chicago.

[Non-Sequitur]

I think he'll move up after a few debates.

So what does Obama have to gain by agreeing to multiple debates?

[ambrose]

This same polling outfit (SurveyUSA) found that Mike Ditka was down by only 6% in a hypothetical matchup. Too bad Ditka balked at running.

[Koblenz]

It's really a shame that Ditka didn't run. He would have won, or at least come close. Keyes likely won't break 40%. I cannot believe this is who the Republican Party of Illinois, the Land of Lincoln, chose to be their candidate. A candidate from Maryland. There were apparently no good candidates in Illinois?

The Republican Party of Illinois had so much a few years ago. This is clearly a party in need of new management.

[IowaHawk]

Yes, and nominations always bring out hearty endorsements. Did you expect Oberweiss to do otherwise?

Let's face it; this is a fiasco. The state GOP has basically said "we are so pathetic, we have to bring in candidates that don't even live here."

Nothing against Alan Keyes, a great speaker who can hold his own in any debate. I am simply disgusted with the State GOP leadership, which needs a major purge.

[Dave W]

There is a big difference. When the Beast decided to run for senator she bought a home there and spent most of her last year campaigning in NY state.

She started EARLY. The Beast visited every county in NY and listened to the voters and she made sure everyone knew it too. She was aware of the issues important to that area or county.

I don't know if she convinced them she would be a good senator, but it seemed enough that they thought she cared. It is a very low threshold, but it worked.

Keyes is starting less than 3 months before the election. It is a ridiculous exercise in ego building by Mr. Keyes. Who is going to contribute to this farce?

On top of that I am going to have to endure the complete adulation that people here seem to have of Keyes.

I actually like Keyes, but he is a terrible politician.

[mrexitement]

By your twisted logic, anyone who is pro-choice could safely be labeled Osama Bin Laden. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that you are out of your freaking mind.

[sevry]

You say Keyes is a nut? Well, 'ambrose', what makes him so nutty and incompetent then? What specifically?

[cyborg]

I live in NY and welcome to the lousy leadership club.

[familyofman]

"I think he'll win some folks to our side even in a big loss."

The logic escapes me. How will he win converts by being trounced? That implies he had a base and could go no higher as opposed to 'winning' others to our side. I think he will probably lose ground & support because of his 'situational ethics' in his own 'carpetbagger' quotes.
He seems to be only in it for the 'ride' & power. Just wait until the voters find out that 'MR ETHICS' owes back taxes & is a 2 time loser already in trying to become a Senator.

[No Blue States]

"I live in Illinois and do not like Obama, but that kind of comment goes way beyond the pale. You should be ashamed of yourself."

Who made you Obamas mama?

[cyborg]

It wouldn't be a stretch to say that you are out of your freaking mind

** So tell me something I don't know already! LOL No I wouldn't label someone pro-choice Osama. I do label politicians who can affect legislation/opinion/party platform Osama Bin Laden since he was a leader inspiring his citizens to do wrong and abortion is wrong. Tough if you don't like the analogy.

[Dane]

Let's face it; this is a fiasco. The state GOP has basically said "we are so pathetic, we have to bring in candidates that don't even live here.

I disagree, it's a fiasco for Obama, IMO.

The same arguement was said about Arnold when he entered the race.(not the residency isssue per se, but hopefully you get the gist)

[Callahan]

I'm still wondering why the same press that pryed into Ryan's dirty laundry isn't clamoring to get a look at John Kerry's divorce from nutty rich wife #1. Oh yeah...

[dts32041]

Yeah and if Ryan run I would have not voted for him, he was a moderate, my vote would have went for the libertarian.

Keyes will get my vote.

So how about that Moriarty.

[getitright]

"The Republicans would have been better off letting Obama win unopposed than letting him use this crackpot as a foil."

Please elaborate in support of this brilliant stance. I need to obsorb a portion of your wisdom. How does the IL DEMs funding other Senate races and Obama campaigning for other Dem contenders help the IL GOP?

PLease educate my simple self

[mrexitement]

I think we can both agree that perhaps calling Obama a supporter of murder would be acceptable, but Osama does deserve a higher position in the 'scumbags of the world' chart.

Fair enough?

[dts32041]

Jim Oberweiss, pro choice, until he decides to run, he can take all his ice cream and shove at terry kerry, janus was named for him.