Poll: Cardwell closing gap with Jones
July 2, 2008 at 9:44 am by Scott Henry in News
A couple weeks ago, WSB-TV reporter-turned-Senate candidate Dale Cardwell told us he’s “running for second place” in the July 15 primary to earn a place in a Democratic runoff election with presumed front-runner Vernon Jones.
This morning, Cardwell sent out a release saying that, as of now, he’s there. He cites a report by his old station that, in turn, quotes a Strategic Vision poll indicating that Cardwell is at 22 percent, hanging just behind Jones, with 25 percent. The well-funded Jim Martin trails with 17 percent, barely edging newcomer Rand Knight with 14 percent. Former congressional staffer Josh Lanier brings up the rear of the pack with a mere 6 percent. The poll shows 16 percent undecided.
Poll results were based on telephone interviews conducted June 27-29 with 800 likely voters in Georgia, says Strategic Vision.
Cardwell was also excited about results that showed he was polling strongest against GOP incumbent Saxby Chambliss, albeit by a razor-thin margin. According to the poll, Cardwell would take 29 percent of the vote against Chambliss, vs. 28 percent for Martin and Knight and 27 percent for Jones.
Of course, a poll showing you lagging by a nearly 2-to-1 margin is only good news if you assume that public opinion can change considerably before the election as candidates get their message out to voters. This happens to be a safe assumption and it’s also true right now, nearly two weeks out from the primary, as the candidates launch their final push for votes.
The X-factor here is, how much ammunition do candidates have left and how much will it matter? Martin is planning a full-scale campaign assault on TV and radio, a maneuver that only Jones could hope to match. Will that be enough to turn the tide?
What do you think, dear reader? Who do you like for the primary and – importantly – how do you think that candidate would fare against Chambliss?
(Photo by Joeff Davis)
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I think that Vernon Jones will win the Democratic Primary in July. He seems to have what it takes and is serious about this race. Dale Cardwell is in this for the fame, and attention. He should start his own tv show and leave politics alone. I mean come on!! Cardwell stood on top of a freezing pole in the middle of winter! (LOL! Watch the recent Fox 5 debate on youtube and see what he says to defend his dumb move: http://www.jasonpye.com/blog/2008/06/video_of_fox_5_democratic_senate_debate.html)
All biases aside, I believe that Vernon Jones is the best candidate to stand up against Saxby Chambliss in November.
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Against Chambliss? Say in a debate maybe? Cardwell – hands down. Dude, like, actually knows stuff about the state of Georgia. Chambliss plays a lot of golf with very rich people though. A veritable fountain of campaign money, if not necessarily priceless, localized info. Tough call.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Rand Knight is gaining fast.He will out campaign all of them.Voters that hear him speak can’t help but feel like he will fight for them and their families.Check out http://www.knightforsenate.com