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Public Poll Clashes With Kirk Internal Numbers in IL-Sen
IL-SEN candidates Alexi Giannoulias (D) and Rep. Mark Kirk (R)
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A new public poll shows the freshly-minted nominees for Senate in Illinois are running a tight race as the general election campaign begins in earnest. Yesterday, GOP nominee Mark Kirk released an internal poll showing him with a double-digit lead over Democratic nominee Alexi Giannoulias. But today's public poll from Rasmussen shows the race is much closer than that, with Kirk leading Giannoulias 46-40 with a margin of error of 4.5%.
Internal polls are often released by candidates in an attempt to influence the storyline of a race. Yesterday, the Kirk campaign pushed its internal numbers on reporters yesterday in the hours after Kirk swept a crowded field to win his party's nomination. While today's poll still shows him ahead of Giannoulias in the race for President Obama's former Senate seat, the six-point lead suggests the race is basically up for grabs.
The Rasmussen poll was conducted last night, a day after the primary election which saw both men beat multiple challengers to win their party's nomination outright. The pollster contacted 500 likely voters.
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Iris
February 4, 2010 9:44 AM
Once the Pinnochio Party, always the Pinnochio Party.
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converse
February 4, 2010 10:05 AM
Let's see... Kirk's internal says up by 12...Republican-biased Rasmussen says up by 6...
Then, obviously, Giannoulias must be leading by at least 3 or 4 points.
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concerned parent
February 4, 2010 10:08 AM
Kirk is not loved by the GOP, so he will end up going to the far right to survive. Frankly, if Dems were smart, they would ask Palin what she thinks about ole Kirk. Either an endorsement or dodging the question would be bad for Kirk. Time to put Palin to work and hang her around the necks of every gop.
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Weitberg
February 4, 2010 10:11 AM
Kirk's numbers come from an internal poll taken between his ears, with a 5-25% margin of bat shit crazy.
TheWeekinRebuke.com
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thomas1
February 4, 2010 10:25 AM
as a native I don't think the level of exposure Kirk will get in the state-wide race will help him. I'm south suburban so he's just been a name from the rich side of town to us. watching him on the teevee on Tuesday I thought "this guy's gonna get whiney before November and turn-off some independents." Alexi G was probably not our best choise but there's a reason they hold elections instead of appointing the 'poll leader'.
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decisivemoment
February 4, 2010 12:21 PM
Kirk won't do well enough downstate for a Republican. And Giannoulias, for all his family baggage, is fairly well liked both by liberals and by the machine, so he'll have a ground game.
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