ME-PPP: King (I) would start with a small lead

[Tender Branson]

If the candidates for US Senate this fall were Republican Charlie Summers, Democrat Chellie Pingree, and independent Angus King, who would you vote for?

Charlie Summers ............................................ 28%
Chellie Pingree ............................................... 31%
Angus King ..................................................... 36%

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_ME_0306.pdf

[redcommander]

Total independent blowout.

[King]

Unlike most independents who start out with leads (Crist and Chaffee), King is an actually decent candidate for Maine.

[redcommander]

Unlike most independents who start out with leads (Crist and Chaffee), King is an actually decent candidate for Maine.

It's another repeat of 2010. A popular independent takes support away from the unpopular Democrat, and let's the Republican squeak by. And how much of an fu would it be to Maine Dems if Murray endorses King? A moderately progressive Democrat could win this seat, and yet everyone seems ready to endorse the DINO lite candidate.

[DrScholl]

With Pingree not running, King is more likely to get more Democrats against any of the remaining challengers. King is strong enough where he siphons off a good amount of Republican support, enough to push the Republican into the 20s.

[tpfkaw]

With Pingree not running, King is more likely to get more Democrats against any of the remaining challengers. King is strong enough where he siphons off a good amount of Republican support, enough to push the Republican into the 20s.

He'd have to run as a moderate hero to keep his Republican support - Crist's dropped from ~30% to near-zero when he decided to run as a pseudo-Democrat.

[AndrewTX]

You can't use Chaffee or Crist as real examples. They were Republicans. Crist went Indy after losing the primary, and Chaffee became Indy after 2006. King was elected twice as an Independent.

 I think this race is his to lose. I can't picture a dem or republican winning.

[tpfkaw]

You can't use Chaffee or Crist as real examples. They were Republicans. Crist went Indy after losing the primary, and Chaffee became Indy after 2006. King was elected twice as an Independent.

 I think this race is his to lose. I can't picture a dem or republican winning.

But King appears to have shifted dramatically to the left since his stint as governor.

[AndrewTX]

You can't use Chaffee or Crist as real examples. They were Republicans. Crist went Indy after losing the primary, and Chaffee became Indy after 2006. King was elected twice as an Independent.

 I think this race is his to lose. I can't picture a dem or republican winning.

But King appears to have shifted dramatically to the left since his stint as governor.

Without a doubt. But I still think this race is going to shift more and more to him.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Cool poll, but I don't expect Charlie Summers to be the GOP nominee, and I don't expect Chellie Pingree to be the Democratic nominee. Angus King is still the man to beat, but meh to this poll.

[Eraserhead]

As long as the Republican loses...

[Svensson]

Total independent blowout.

Because being a smartass is a perfectly acceptable substitute for actual debate. Nice to meet you, Glenn Beck.

[DrScholl]

He'd have to run as a moderate hero to keep his Republican support - Crist's dropped from ~30% to near-zero when he decided to run as a pseudo-Democrat.

Maine has less Republicans than Florida does and King has always been an independent. It's not really comparable.

[Holmes]

Eh. I think I'd support King, but replacing a 65 year old incumbent with a 68 year old freshman would be so uninspiring.

[Bacon King]

He gets 41% of Obama voters and 25% of McCain voters.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Database entry: https://uselectionatlas.org/POLLS/SENATE/2012/polls.php?action=indpoll&id=23120120304108