Ras poll puts O'Malley at 50; Ehrlich 47
New post-primary poll numbers from Rasmussen Reports put Gov. Martin O’Malley’s support at 50 percent; while his challenger, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., has 47 percent. The margin for error is plus or minus four points - so the race is still a statistical deadheat.
Rasmussen stressed that the poll contains good news for O’Malley: The survey marks the first time that the governor has hit the 50 percent mark in their reports, perhaps a sign of momentum for the governor's team. The Maryland race is one of seven gubernatorial contests that Rasmussen categorizes as a tossup. The poll was done on Sept. 15 and included 750 likely voters.
In August the polling firm measured the O'Malley-Ehrlich race at 47 to 47. Since that time Ehrlich began airing television ads; O'Malley has been up on TV since mid-summer.
Ehrlich spokesman Henry Fawell put his spin on the numbers, saying that after "six months of negative advertising" the race remains tight. O'Malley kicked off the race with a negative radio ad in April, pivoted to positive TV pieces over the summer, but has more recently aired spots impinging Ehrlich's credibility on taxes.
The poll also showed that:
* 51 percent approve of the job O'Malley is doing as governor;
* Of the 45 percent who named the economy as their top issue O'Malley is ahead 56 to 42;
* 31 percent say the economy is improving; while 44 percent say it is getting worse;
* O'Malley favorability ratings are 54 percent (fav) to 38 percent (unfav);
* Ehrlich's favorability ratings are 58 percent (fav) to 38 percent (unfav)
Rasmussen stressed that the poll contains good news for O’Malley: The survey marks the first time that the governor has hit the 50 percent mark in their reports, perhaps a sign of momentum for the governor's team. The Maryland race is one of seven gubernatorial contests that Rasmussen categorizes as a tossup. The poll was done on Sept. 15 and included 750 likely voters.
In August the polling firm measured the O'Malley-Ehrlich race at 47 to 47. Since that time Ehrlich began airing television ads; O'Malley has been up on TV since mid-summer.
Ehrlich spokesman Henry Fawell put his spin on the numbers, saying that after "six months of negative advertising" the race remains tight. O'Malley kicked off the race with a negative radio ad in April, pivoted to positive TV pieces over the summer, but has more recently aired spots impinging Ehrlich's credibility on taxes.
The poll also showed that:
* 51 percent approve of the job O'Malley is doing as governor;
* Of the 45 percent who named the economy as their top issue O'Malley is ahead 56 to 42;
* 31 percent say the economy is improving; while 44 percent say it is getting worse;
* O'Malley favorability ratings are 54 percent (fav) to 38 percent (unfav);
* Ehrlich's favorability ratings are 58 percent (fav) to 38 percent (unfav)
Comments
It is not a "statistical dead heat".
O'Malley up +6 or tied has the same probability.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 20, 2010 3:04 PM
Bad news for Bob Ehrlich. It's the economy, stupid. and 56% say Ehrlich is stupid on the economy.
Posted by: john | September 20, 2010 3:08 PM
Another reason MOM, BUSCH and MILLER must go.
10 worst states for retirement-
No. 5: Maryland-
Economic factors: Cost of living is 126 percent of the national average, unemployment is at 7.1 percent, and the average state and local tax burden is 10.8 percent.
Climate: Average monthly temperatures range from 32.24 degrees in January to 75.44 degrees in July.
Crime rate: 9th in the nation in violent crime, and 21st in property crime.
Life expectancy: 76.3 years.
Reason for low rank: Between the cost of living and the tax burden, Maryland is expensive, and the high rate of violent crime is also troubling.
Posted by: john | September 20, 2010 7:07 PM
Let's quote Rick Abbruzzese from O'Malley's campaign:
"
O'Malley campaign spokesman Rick Abbruzzese said their camp has always been expecting a close race, but cast some doubt on the veracity of the numbers. "The methodology raises some questions," he said. The phone surveys are automated, unlike polls politicians typically bankroll for their own campaigns."
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/2010/06/new_poll_says_guvs_race_is_dea_1.html
Posted by: John | September 21, 2010 10:40 PM
Sounds like more statistical lies. Phone surveys are a nuisance
Posted by: JJ | September 22, 2010 11:53 AM