Mark Neumann's campaign is touting the results of a poll from Public Policy Polling as proof that he should be the Republican to run against Tom Barrett in Wisconsin's race for governor.
Mark Neumann's campaign issued this press release on Wednesday:
INDEPENDENT POLL: MARK NEUMANN
MOST ELECTABLE REPUBLICAN
Head to head matchup: For the first time, Neumann beats Barrett
by larger margin than Walker
Public Policy Polling survey: Neumann over Barrett 43-38
Neumann enjoys double digit lead among independents
WAUKESHA, Wis. - March 24, 2010 - For the first time, a new independent poll shows Republican candidate for Governor Mark Neumann beating Democrat Tom Barrett by a wider margin than Neumann's primary election opponent.
The just-released poll from Public Policy Polling shows Neumann defeating Barrett 43-38. By comparison, Scott Walker defeats Barrett 42-39.
In addition, Neumann has strong support among independents, with a double-digit lead against Barrett. Neumann is up 43-26.
This represents a continuing surge of momentum in Neumann's favor. Last November, the same polling firm showed Barrett defeating Neumann 41-39.
The statements in this press release are true, but I don't think Neumann should act as if the findings of this one poll should be taken as divine revelation.
Furthermore, the margin of error for the survey is +/-3.7%. That doesn't give Neumann much to brag about.
The good news is both Scott Walker and Neumann are leading Barrett.
Neumann's press release continues:
"Mark Neumann is not only best-positioned to defeat Tom Barrett this November, but Mark also has all of the positive momentum," Neumann campaign manager Chip Englander said. "Mark's positive messages are resonating, his TV and radio campaign is now in its second month, and Mark is connecting directly with folks on Main Streets across Wisconsin. Obviously people are recognizing that Mark is best positioned to lead Wisconsin forward."
This is the third recent, independent statewide poll that shows voters are responding favorably to Neumann. In recent weeks, a Rasmussen survey showed Neumann defeating Barrett in the general election, and a WPRI survey showed Neumann defeating Walker everywhere except inside the Milwaukee area, where Walker has been a career politician for 17 years.
I don't like the shots that Neumann is taking at Walker.
Of course, if Neumann wants to win the primary he has to challenge his opponent. Still, I don't think of Walker as a career politician in the sense of being an out of touch, "politics as usual," status quo type of official. I think of him as a reformer and as an experienced executive.
I don't see Walker's years in office as a hindrance.
I wish Neumann wanted to run against Russ Feingold.
Avoiding a messy primary would be so helpful, plus there needs to be a credible candidate to take on Feingold.
I'm sick of waiting around for Tommy Thompson to make a decision on a Senate run. I want him to declare whether he's in or out. Enough toying with the public. Get in the race or get out of the way. Thompson needs to think of Wisconsin's future and the future of the country rather than himself.
He needs to make a commitment. I don't like that he hasn't. It's Brett Favre BS. I need to see some commitment on Thompson's part very soon (preferably by noon today). If he wants to represent Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate, then he needs to make that known. I can't stand the wishy-washy routine. Thompson has to really want it, and I'm not seeing that.
I think Neumann is strong enough to unseat Feingold. Instead of Neumann and Walker duking it out, it would be great to have Neumann spend his time, energy, and funds on defeating Feingold rather than fighting another Republican.
As far as Terrence Wall and Dave Westlake go, one of them beating Feingold is longer than a long shot.
One thing is absolutely certain: I'm not voting for Feingold. No way. I'll vote for his Republican opponent.
I just really want that opponent to be someone who can win.
_____________________
UPDATE: Maybe I don't want Neumann to be a U.S. Senate candidate afterall. Some disturbing revelations.
No comments:
Post a Comment