Rasmussen (MN Senate): Kennedy Trails Klobuchar by 7%

[TheresNoMoney]

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/MembersOnly/2005%20Dailies/December%202005/MN%20Dec%2014/MN_121405%20Toplines.htm

Klobuchar: 48%
Kennedy: 41%

Wetterling: 47%
Kennedy: 43%

Kennedy leads the other two Democrats in the race by 3% and 10%, but neither is expected to have a shot in the primary. Klobuchar is the clear frontrunner.

Pawlenty's approve/disapprove is at 55%-43%.

[Blank Slate]

Although this is potentially good news for the Democrats, especially Klobuchar, but also Wetterling (to a lesser degree) and the potential for the Democrats holding this open seat; it's not great news.

There looks as though there is still potential for Kennedy to definitely improve his numbers, and long before election day.

Certainly I'm kind of surprised, just a bit, about how much Minnesotans aren't totally disgusted with Bush (except on his policy on Iraq at the moment).   And usually in the past, the more peacenik Minnesotans, seem to want the U.S. troops to stay in Iraq until that country becomes more stable than bringing them home right away.  I don't think you would have seen those sort of poll numbers, in Minnesota, in relationship to Vietnam back in the late 1960's and early 1970's. 

I'd also remind my Democratic friends that Kennedy's poll numbers at this time in this elections cycle are not to dissimiliar to Norm Coleman's poll numbers against Wellstone back in 2001.

[ATFFL]

Scoonie, you may not want to link directly to the members only section of the web site.  might be a breach of your membership agreement.

[TheresNoMoney]

Scoonie, you may not want to link directly to the members only section of the web site.  might be a breach of your membership agreement.

I don't have a membership. The information I linked to is available to anyone.

[Moooooo]

Klobuchar will win the primary.  The latest DFL poll shows her way ahead.  Im still not all that impressed with her as a candidate, but these numbers are definitely encouraging.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

So can people quit putting this race down as leaning Republican?

[TheresNoMoney]

So can people quit putting this race down as leaning Republican?

That's what I was thinking. Every other poll has shown Klobuchar with a similar lead as well.

[Moooooo]

This is the first non-partisan poll.  As far as I know the only other poll released was a poll conducted by Wetterling's campaign.

[TheresNoMoney]

This is the first non-partisan poll.  As far as I know the only other poll released was a poll conducted by Wetterling's campaign.

Zogby has released at least two polls on this race as well, although they're not that reliable.

I'm pretty sure there was one other non-partisan poll as well.

[Yates]

Klobuchar has a higher margin than one would think.  This is splendid news for the Democrats.

[Erc]

All the polls recently have been showing Democrats doing far better than they should be doing.  As things get better for Republicans (as they will over the next year), the polls will improve and Kennedy will win this seat.

Or it could just stay as bad as it is and the Republicans lose 4 seats.

(Yes, I know I just violated J.J.'s first rule of polling...)

[Sarnstrom]

Kennedy is by far the most over-rated candidate this year. Personally I believe the GOP has a better chance to pick-up Maryland or pick-up Washington.

[TeePee4Prez]

Kennedy is by far the most over-rated candidate this year. Personally I believe the GOP has a better chance to pick-up Maryland or pick-up Washington.

I still doubt they'll get MD or WA.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

All the polls recently have been showing Democrats doing far better than they should be doing.  As things get better for Republicans (as they will over the next year), the polls will improve and Kennedy will win this seat.

Or it could just stay as bad as it is and the Republicans lose 4 seats.

(Yes, I know I just violated J.J.'s first rule of polling...)

Even if things get better for the Republicans, they would have to get better than they were in 2004 for Kennedy to win. He's an astoundedly mediocre candidate. (Some would argue Klobuchar is too despite polls to the contrary, but even in that case she wins due to Minnesota's slight Dem lean)

[Joe Republic]

Just a quick aside question here: how do you pronounce Klobuchar's name?  I've been saying it 'Klob-oo-kar'.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Klo-bu-char

The u is short, the ch is like the sound in chair.

[ian]

She must have a truly awesome campaign.  All I can say is that I hope--very much so--that she wins.

[Galactic Overlord]

I'll be more impressed with her once the primaries are over and the battle is truly joined.

I don't know about her. Minnesota has a lot of pro-life, gun-owning Democrats outside of St. Paul. Is she really going to appeal to them?

[minionofmidas]

I've been reading it Klo - boo - char.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

She must have a truly awesome campaign.

Actually, it hasn't even started. I haven't seen anything yet. She already has this advantage without a campaign.

BTW, I was wrong with what I posted for the pronounciation, I was too tired then, the "ch" is not like in chair, it's more like the sound in "shin". Think "Klo-buh-shar"

I'll be more impressed with her once the primaries are over and the battle is truly joined.

I don't know about her. Minnesota has a lot of pro-life, gun-owning Democrats outside of St. Paul. Is she really going to appeal to them?

If John Kerry did. Most of those areas still vote knee-jerk Democrat. Look at St. Louis county.

Her name works well though, her father is rather well known in rural western Minnesota.

[MissCatholic]

Nationalise the race and the pressure will move to pawlenty

[Gustaf]

That is some pretty good news for Democrats. MN is the number one chance for a GOP pickup, IMHO. This could gurantee Democrat senate gains. If it holds, that is...

[ilikeverin]

It's a shame that Wetterling didn't run for House again, I think she would stand a decent chance of winning, especially considering her showing against Kennedy, an incumbent Republican in a lean- to strong- Republican district (it in itself was mediocre, but given incumbency and politics it was actually quite good).