08/28/2002 Archived Entry: "Arkansas: US Senate & Governor Polls"
A Zogby International poll this month commissioned by the Democrat-Gazette showed Hutchinson leading Pryor by fewer than three percentage points (45-43), within the poll’s margin of error. Another poll comes out, also NP, showing that Pryor holds a double-digit lead-- and that's likely voters (51-41). This is telling, because the discrepancy between the partisan polling that had been done in AR previously for the two candidates differed over the Pryor camp using the more broader "registered voters" while Hutchinson's groups polled "likely voters" instead.... you can guess why. The poll by Ernie Oakleaf of Opinion Research is a good read --he speculates the Pryor lead is due backlash to negative advertising by Hutchinson-- and he'll be doing two more polls on the race prior to the election. The two candidate rivals for the U.S. Senate seat debated issues on Tuesday. Conasan's Journal had this to say about the debate: One less righteous brother?
Karl Rove's concerns about the electoral vulnerability of Sen. Tim Hutchinson, R-Ark., were prescient. (He is, of course, the sibling of drug czar and ex-impeachment manager Asa; the two Bob Jones graduates are known together in some local circles as the "righteous brothers.") A reliable Little Rock informant says that the incumbent senator suffered a defeat, if not a knockout, in last night's debate with Democrat Mark Pryor, the state attorney general. The low point came after Pryor accused Hutchinson of voting too slavishly with his own party, when the senator was reduced to defending himself by noting how many times he has voted with Ted Kennedy. That may further disillusion devout churchgoing voters, who are already troubled by this "family values" politician's abrupt divorce and remarriage to a younger aide.
Also "the poll also showed incumbent Gov. Mike Huckabee leading Democratic challenger Jimmie Lou Fisher, the state treasurer, by seven percentage points — 49 percent to 42 percent". There are seemingly very few Governor races this year that are done deals, here's another one heading into the toss-up range. The poll throws water on any inherent bias claims by also showing Bush with a 65% approval rating, and beating Gore --who has a 48% favorable rating-- by 54 percent to 39 percent rematch margin.
Replies: 11 comments
Hey mydd, this is great news for Democrats. If Pryor can knock off Hutchinson, it's one more seat the GOP has to get somewhere else. And if Fisher can upset Huckabee, not only does Emily's List go home happy, but Blanche Lincoln gets a break in 2004-a defeated ex-Governor is easier to beat than a current governor.
Posted by Mr. Liberal @ 08/28/2002 05:16 PM PST
"Karl Rove's concerns about the electoral vulnerability of Sen. Tim Hutchinson, R-Ark., were prescient. (He is, of course, the sibling of drug czar and ex-impeachment manager Asa; the two Bob Jones graduates are known together in some local circles as the "righteous brothers.")"
In danger of being accused of plagerizing the famous general Storming Norman Schwarzkoff, I have this analysis: Hutchinson does not practice Christian values, unlike Jesus Christ he is one of the meanest senators who is ready to cast stone other people's moral shortcomings, supported and supports all the non-Christian garbage and blasphemy taught by the cult known as Bob Jones University, is anti-black, anti-immigrant, anti-minority, a hate-monger, and even failed in the strict christian doctrine of one being faithful to one's spouse...other than that he is a good Christian man!
Posted by G.C, Raj @ 08/28/2002 06:21 PM PST
Asa-lite's a goner. And I don't think Blanche will have much to worry about Hickabee-the Weld-Nelson rule would screw him, but he has to win first, and right now I'm not sire he will.
Posted by AVADem @ 08/28/2002 07:36 PM PST
I agree AVADem
Arkansas is turning into a Democratic highlight so far this year. I think Pryor will win easily. Huckabee is truly in trouble. Although right now I would say he wins 51-49, if his numbers go any further south, he loses.
Posted by Ced @ 08/29/2002 06:33 AM PST
It looks like the Dems may have a strong showing in Arkansas this November.
Posted by Vlajos @ 08/29/2002 08:10 AM PST
I know Clinton's impeachment happened three years ago, but it's only right that the GOP suffer for the likes of Tim Hutchinson. He slithers in the tradition of Henry Hyde, Bob Barr, Newt Gingrich, Dan Burton, Bob Livingston, Helen Chenoweth, Rod Grams (jeez, this is a long list), Mark Chmura (for those who don't know, he's an ex-Packer wanted to run for office as a Republican before he got caught in the hot tub with a 17-year-old girl), whose personal lives are far more messy than the man from Hope. Hutchinson is God's gift to the Democrats, and I hope this campaign gets LOTS of attention.
Posted by Badger Head @ 08/29/2002 12:39 PM PST
Hey Badger Head,
Are you a graduate of the UW or a current student?
Posted by Vlajos @ 08/29/2002 12:45 PM PST
Badger Head-what office was Chmura planning to run for? And you didn't mention that it was a post-prom party (what the hell is a 35-year-old man doing drunk at a post-prom party?), and the young lady was his kids' babysitter.
Posted by AVADem @ 08/29/2002 01:51 PM PST
Big time philanderers, all and put cults such as Bob Jones University as a front for casting the first stones on Bill Clinton. And for goodness sake, Tim Hutchinson is a baptist preacher who is supposed to lead by example. Instead, the first thing he does is go after another woman and all the time cast stones on Clinton. Perhaps they should make a movie of the politicians called "Girls on the Side."
Posted by G.C. Raj @ 08/30/2002 06:20 AM PST
"when the senator was reduced to defending himself by noting how many times he has voted with Ted Kennedy"
ROTFLMAO!
Posted by Fred @ 08/30/2002 01:27 PM PST
I'm a UW grad, Class of 1984. I'm new to this board and will post some comments when there's someting on the Wisconsin governor's race (my wife is voting for Kathleen Falk in the Democratic primary, and I'm leaning that way.)
Posted by Badgerhead @ 08/30/2002 08:09 PM PST
