SurveyUSA has just released head-to-head polling of a hypothetical general election match in Kentucky between presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain and potential Democrat opponents Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. The poll of 535 registered voters was conducted March 14-16th. While McCain continues to lead both Clinton (by 10 points) and Obama (by 36 points), the most signifcant news is that McCain has now surpassed Obama in support among registered Democrats.
Over the past week Obama's pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, has been at the center of a controversy over incendiary remarks he made during Sunday sermons. The surrounding media firestorm has charred Obama's nascent Kentucky campaign, which is beginning to prepare for a May 20 primary. In SurveyUSA tracking, Obama's support among registered Democrats has fallen from 48% (in a poll released 2/29) to 41% (in the poll released today). McCain's support among Kentucky Democrats in a potential race against Obama has risen, during the same time period, from 37% to 48%. The net 18-point swing in the two weeks since the previous poll likely ends any chance for Obama to remain competitive in Kentucky's primary.
And the possibility of Obama as the Democrat presidential nominee in Kentucky has become a cause for ebullience among Republicans statewide. One GOP operative told KyPolitics.org, "If Obama is getting beaten by McCain among members of his own party in November, you'll see other Democrats losing races down the ballot. Nominating Barack Obama would be suicide for Kentucky Democrats."
Wow. 64-28 McCain-Obama. That's a crazy beat down.
Posted by: | March 19, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Obama is Kenyan for McGovern
Posted by: Frankfort Southie | March 19, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Looks like Kentucky doesn't want to join the Obamanation.
Posted by: | March 19, 2008 at 09:01 PM
If the November matchup is McCain v Obama, I expect Obama to take Iowa, Missouri, and possibly Virginia away from the GOP. McCain will probably get Pennsylvania, and he *might* be able to get New Jersey and Oregon from the Dems.
Posted by: Citizen Grim | March 20, 2008 at 10:03 AM
McCain will slaughter both Hillary and B. Hussein Obama in Kentucky. Same for Mitch vs.Lunsford. Maybe that's why Ann Northup wants another shot at Yarmuth!
Posted by: The Ripper | April 06, 2008 at 10:23 PM
And in retrospect, it all didn't make any difference how strange this disaster was... Obama, with the full backing of Hollywood and the media didn't have to worry about any negative baggage whatsoever to win the election.
Posted by: Sea Isle City Guy | November 16, 2008 at 11:36 PM