Today's Quinnipiac Poll, which shows Gov. Rell with a 77% approval rating and massive leads over her Democratic challengers, is actually good news for the DeStefano and Malloy campaigns! Or at least they're telling us it is. Here's what the Malloy campaign had to say:
The Democratic race for governor in Connecticut has significantly tightened, according to the latest Quinnipiac University poll released today. Today's poll shows the gap in the race between Mayor Dan Malloy and Mayor John DeStefano has been cut in half, with Malloy at 24% vs. DeStefano at 32%, compared to 19% vs. 38% (respectively) on February 16.
...
Cooney said he is not surprised by Governor Rell's relatively high numbers, noting that, "The race will undoubtedly tighten between Governor Rell and Mayor Malloy when it is a focused head to head competition and they hear Dan Malloy's vision for the future of Connecticut and his plans for getting us there." (Malloy)
Cooney is correct that the race will probably tighten somewhat as soon as the primary is done in August, but he's smart to focus on the narrowing gap between DeStefano and Malloy. That's what Democratic delegates are interested in.
And the DeStefano response:
"The Quinnipiac Poll results show that Gov. Rell’s numbers are slipping and that DeStefano has a sizeable lead over Malloy for the Democratic primary. What’s more, DeStefano has the momentum heading into the Democratic Convention in May. In the last few weeks the DeStefano campaign unveiled a universal health care plan, reached a milestone with its 30th endorsement from a labor organization, and announced that it has a $600,000 fundraising lead over Malloy." (DeStefano)Why is 30 a "milestone" for labor endorsements? Why not 25? Or 32? And yes, Rell's numbers are, in fact, "slipping," but a fall from 83% approval to 77% approval still isn't good news for Democrats.
It also seems to me that the DeStefano release is a bit curt and defensive, while the Malloy release is calmer and more self-assured. That could be because there was really nothing good for the DeStefano campaign to report, while the Malloy campaign could focus on their gathering momentum.
Beneath their external confidence and bluster, I wonder if either campaign really has any idea of what to do with Gov. Rell, should they end up facing her in November.
Sources
"DeStefano statement on Quinnipiac Poll." Press Release. DeStefano for Connecticut, 2 May, 2006.
"Malloy Campaign Comments on Latest Q-Poll." Press Release. Dan Malloy for Governor. 2 May, 2006.
4 comments:
Tomorrow at 2 PM, Elbert J. Huckaby will be announcing his intention to run for Governor.
From what I understand, he has taken out Primary Petition Pages from the Secretary of the State's office.
Malloy’s ideas are as vapid as Rell’s; the education plan he announced yesterday offered no way to pay for any of it. . . . a familiar pattern for his proposals. Considering he’s allied himself with Eddie Perez, who threatened to close Hartford’s schools if he didn’t get his way, you have a candidate who has considerably misplaced his priorities on education.
I think that DeStefano’s ‘30’ labor unions is significant for the sole reason that it includes 50% of the AFL-CIO groups. John Olsen said just last week that DeStefano has mathematically eliminated Malloy and the Gov. from AFL-CIO consideration. Last time I checked, that was a pretty important endorsement.
I recieved the Dem Convention Scheduale today from state Central.
Friday is Vote for senate at 7 pm
All other offices on Saturday.
I have no idea why it was set up this way ut I'm glad I'll know how both New Have and Stamford delegations voted for Senate before I have to vote for Governor.
Disgruntled. . . .
Malloy has been a smashing success in saying nothing at all so far. If that was how campaigns were won, Dan Malloy and Jodi Rell would be running neck and neck.
Fact is, DeStefano’s the only candidate offering any big ideas or solutions to voters. Health care is a terribly significant issue in this state right now and how it is resolved is going to have serious implications for Connecticut’s future. Dismissing it, as Malloy has done, or ignoring it, as Rell as done, is irresponsible policy and politics. John DeStefano deserves credit for tackling the issue head on.
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