In [a] poll, conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University, Lautenberg was leading Zimmer by 45 percent to 28 percent. The poll of 589 registered voters was conducted between June 17 and 22 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Here
25 Jul 08:
The Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey Poll released yesterday found Lautenberg leading Dick Zimmer by 45 percent to 37 percent among likely voters.
Here
12 Aug 08, Quinnipiac:
Democratic incumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg leads Republican challenger Dick Zimmer 48 - 41 percent among likely New Jersey voters, a more select group than registered voters surveyed in previous polls.
19 Aug 08:
Democrat Frank Lautenberg has a 50%-32% lead over Republican Dick Zimmer in the race for U.S. Senate, according to a Zogby International poll released today.
Here
These are NOT good numbers for an incumbent senator. Even the best of those polls only shows Lautenberg at 50%. If McCain/Palin simply make an appearance with Zimmer, it could boost his fundraising and name recognition substantially and perhaps make this one a nailbiter. Others laughed at me last week for suggesting Lautenberg could lose. That's fine. Just going on polls, I'd say Zimmer's got a shot at stealing a seat.
After digging through FEC data from June 30th of this year, it appears Lautenberg has $1.3 million in cash on hand, but $3 million in debt. Zimmer has $411K on hand, but only $277K in debt. So Zimmer actually appears to be in better shape right now.
Lautenberg has raised $6.2 million total, but spent every penny. And he still can't break 50% in the polls?!?
Its also my understanding that the reason the Kean group wanted so badly to get one of their own nominated was to defeat a decent man, a good candidate, a solid Republican and a man who unabashedly ran in the Republican primary as as “conservative” - Joe Pennachio.
Mr. Pennachio, one time Freeholder, State Assemblyman and current State Senator, had long record of supporting all the values so many of us here on Free Republic support.
Dick Zimmer was a man who was out of office for many years and who lost his share of elections.
I believe he was chosen because his Republican values are so diluted that they meet with the approval of the Keans and their associates.
I hope Mr. Zimmer loses to Lautenberg. He doesn't deserve to be elected to the U.S. Senate.