Exclusive Poll: New Jersey Senate Poll (The Torch is in Deep Trouble)

KYW-TV ^

[Dales]

Jul 23, 2002 10:17 pm US/Eastern

(KYW)-(Trenton)-The latest exclusive Eyewitness News Survey USA Poll of the New Jersey senate race shows a real deadlock between incumbent Senator Robert Torricelli and Republican challenger Douglas Forrester.

The poll shows each candidate with 43 percent of the vote, with the rest undecided or planning to vote for other candidates. The margin of error in this poll was plus or minus 3.9 percent.

Eyewitness News Anchor Larry Kane says the survey of 661 likely voters is an early indication of what could be a very close and expensive race. But Kane says Torricelli, hurt by an ethics investigation, is still the incumbent and will have a large war chest for November. Remember, the Democrats hold a slim majority in the U.S. Senate, and a loss of one or two seats can change that in a flash.

Kane says Forrester's challenge is to match master-fundraiser Torricelli dollar-for-dollar.

[Coop]

New Jersey is another state like Illinois where the dead vote early and often. Dogs and cats and all manner of pets vote too! I don't think the Torch is going anywhere, do you?

Well, heck, you're right. Let's just all sit here and not do a thing. No, that wouldn't be accurate. You're not content to not do anything. Folks like you must go out of their way to provide discouragement. It's a shame that effort couldn't be put to better use.

There's no getting around it. Torricelli's very vulnerable. The GOP would be absolutely foolish to not give this race a shot. But Torricelli's also very well funded (shocking!), so Forrester's got his work cut out for him.

[clikker]

Imus doesn't do much for me. Giuliani's endorsement in NJ, however, is huge (IMHO). A lot of Jersey folks were intimately touched by 9/11 and Rudy's influence.

Rudy helps, but I don't think he helps that much. Last year, Bret had Rudy's unconditional support, and all it seemed to have done was win over some of the undecided Republicans (maybe the ones that thought Bret was "too conservative").

I think we need some real "hometown boys" to make and endorsement that has a significant effect (who that might be, don't ask me!). Anyhow, I think that endorsements are overrated, but, hey, I suppose they couldn't hurt.

Go Doug Go!

[dyed_in_the_wool]

So the relative unknown who is currently tied in the polls with a powerful incumbent doesn't have a prayer unless he follows your advice? Noted.

FWIW, even then I don't think Forrester has a chance in hell. The Republican party in the Northeast is in dire search of an identity.
In case you haven't noticed, Ed Rendell is about to take PA and outside of indictment, the Torch isn't going anywhere. Although normally incumbents below 45% are in trouble (because they seldom go up) Doug's never going to get above 45% because nobody knows who he is and once they find out, they won't vote for him.
Unless you have an example of a staunch Pro-Life Republican winning a race in the Northeast recently. I'd be anxious to hear about it.

[Coop]

In case you haven't noticed, Ed Rendell is about to take PA

Why? Because he's barely leading in two of three polls from Apr-Jun. You crack me up!

Doug's never going to get above 45%

Interesting comment, given that an unknown who hasn't yet advertised is already at 43% in one poll. And the national GOP met with his campaign yesterday to talk about strategy through Nov and some serious $$$$.

Unless you have an example of a staunch Pro-Life Republican winning a race in the Northeast recently. I'd be anxious to hear about it.

Me, too. But what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?

[Coop]

Wash ComPost excerpt, 30 Jul 02:

Republicans are considering a multimillion-dollar ad campaign for this fall that would focus almost entirely on the allegations, GOP officials said. The Republican National Committee's top political strategist, Jack Oliver, traveled to New Jersey yesterday to meet with Forrester's top fundraisers to discuss an aggressive campaign for this fall, said a Forrester aide. Groups close to the GOP are planning to file additional complaints against Torricelli to keep attention focused on his ethics, sources said.

While Torricelli will not be easy to knock off, not all who follow politics share your defeatism.

[teletech]

Well, heck, you're right. Let's just all sit here and not do a thing. No, that wouldn't be accurate. You're not content to not do anything. Folks like you must go out of their way to provide discouragement. It's a shame that effort couldn't be put to better use.

There's no getting around it. Torricelli's very vulnerable. The GOP would be absolutely foolish to not give this race a shot. But Torricelli's also very well funded (shocking!), so Forrester's got his work cut out for him.

First of all, where did I say I advocated doing nothing. Hmmmm? You're "Folks like you.... " statement is pure BS! You don't know me! You don't know what I have done or not done! You haven't one single clue!!

[Coop]

I most certainly do have a clue - your words/actions. I stand by my previous post.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

While Torricelli will not be easy to knock off, not all who follow politics share your defeatism.

Two words: Bret Schundler.

[Coop]

One word: Irrelevant.

[NeoCaveman]

Leave the yuppie soccer moms out of this.

They'll just vote for the taller one anyway.

Sweet. looks like the Torch may just be put out.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

Irrelevant? How does someone from Virginia get off telling someone from New Jersey about New Jersey politics. (I mean, I met Millicent Fenwick for goodness' sake.)
You're trying to rally the troops and all you're demonstrating is that you have absolutely no grasp of NJ politics.
Bret Schundler was NJ's best chance at retaining the State House; and the GOP both in NJ and in DC felt it wasn't worth their time because Bret wasn't THEIR man.
You must work for the GOP or are delusional, but I don't think you realize how a lot of NJ Pubbies feel let down.
Personally, I decided a while ago that I was voting Libertarian no matter who won the nomination. In fact (and I hate to admit this) but I'd rather see Torch than just about anyone the State GOP machine feels like putting up there.
Doug calling my house 50 times during the preliminaries didn't help either.
So you can stick that 'irrelevant' where the sun don't shine and buck up and realize that the 14% that haven't decided sure as hell aren't going to cross the street to cast a vote for Doug Forrester. Sorry. Won't happen. Hate to throw that reality at you, but someone's got to do it.
Incidentally, this is where you berate me for not believing or tell me how my attitude sucks or how I must not be a 'real' Republican, etc. But, speaking as you are from ignorance, I'll politely ignore your taunts and 'fart in your general direction'.
Peace.

[Coop]

You're trying to rally the troops and all you're demonstrating is that you have absolutely no grasp of NJ politics.

Wrong. I'm just looking at the numbers and leaving emotion out of this as much as possible.

You, however, are doing your darnedest to dismiss Forrester, no matter what's staring you in the face.

I have no grasp of NJ politics? Bret opened up with about a 17-pt deficit in the polls and lost by about the same margin. Comparing him to Forrester, who is tied in one poll and barely trailing in two others, is silly.

You folks should feel betrayed by Bret's lousy treatment, just as this Virginian does. But, quite frankly, this Virginian did a whole lot more to advance Bret's cause than a lot of NJ FReepers.

[Coop]

Speaking of ignorance, why in the world would you presume that I'm a Republican? :-) You need to sit down and have a snack. That blood sugar's a little low.

[Diddle E. Squat]

With the public demanding accountability from CEO's why not demand the same from their elected officials?

Bingo. For this race, that must be repeatedly stated. Excellent line for a TV ad.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Bret Schundler.

A Tree Grows In Jersey ('s GOP)

[hobbes1]

Hope so. Even steven, And Forrester hasnt started advertising yet.

[hobbes1]

I think last nights floor speech will be getting some airplay if Forrester is smart. First his Public Comments about being RAPED by this investigation, then his denouncement of Chang, then his ON THE SENATE FLOOR ADMISSION...Run it Ad nauseum.HE can't fight back, HE cant dismiss it.

[Freemeorkillme]

Yup, really totally up to a voter total of about 114% here in NJ give or take a few cemeteries.

[Freemeorkillme]

LOL. Oh, that deserves a big ping-for-pasta in support of the pro-carb ammendment in NJ's new comprehensive Citizens' Health Reform act.

Anything to snuff the Torch. Get your lawn signs, bumper stickers and other volunteer stuff here http://www.forrester2002.com/volunteer/volunteer.asp

[cicero's_son]

It is so frustrating to watch the national republicans squander yet another opportunity to hang the burning tire of corporate greed around the dem's necks.

There is a DIRECT CONNECTION between the greed and corner-cutting of a Toricelli and the greed and corner-cutting going on at Worldcom, Enron, Global Crossing, etc.

The media will of course never make this connection. One would hope that the Republicans would be smart enough to do it.