Minnesota Poll: Bush inches up on Kerry

[Dickie Flatt]

Link -- Star Tribune

The poll, conducted Sept. 7-13, found that Kerry has the support of 50 percent of likely voters in Minnesota, while Bush has the support of 41 percent.

The president's support has increased by 3 percentage points from the level he had in March, the last time the Minnesota Poll measured support for the candidates, while Kerry's support remained unchanged. ...

Ron Eibensteiner, chairman of the state Republican Party, called the poll results "laughable. Not only is Minnesota still in play, it will remain in play until Election Day."

Poll under fire

Last week, Eibensteiner called on the newspaper to fire its longtime poll director, saying the poll consistently favors Democratic candidates. The latest poll results are "what I expected and why I had my press conference last Friday," he said. "A flawed methodology means that the results will be flawed. I'm not surprised in the least."

He said the party's own polls have shown a dead heat in Minnesota. "We're either up by one or down by one and it's been that way since the convention," he said.

Said Star Tribune Editor Anders Gyllenhaal: "There's a long and unfortunate history of political parties attacking the newspaper when they don't like the news. This poll is based on exhaustive research that reaches the highest standards. To suggest the Star Tribune is aiming for anything but accuracy and precision with its polling is ridiculous."

Eibensteiner's counterpart, DFL Chairman Mike Erlandson, embraced the poll results. "Obviously, the numbers are encouraging," he said. "You always like to see polls showing you ahead. But certainly, we're going to operate as if we're 10 points down right until November 11." He said the DFL has not conducted any polls since the Republican Convention, which shook up polls nationwide.

[Carolab]

1. Notice how nasty the Republican is

and how nice the Democrat is. Minnesota Republican? BWAHAHAHAHA

[ochazuke]

2. "Minnesota Nice"

It's being diluted by newcomers, uh, Republicans.

[Carolab]

3. An Erlandson

trumps an Eibensteiner in this Scandinavian state

[jackieforthedems]

5. Minnesota Nice? It's Becoming More Like Minnesota Ice

I've been a Minnesotan all my life - 40 years - and I've been noticing that people are changing here. Minnesota Nice? More like Minnesota Ice! It's gotta be the Republicans! I still think Kerry will carry Minnesota, though. That'll be the one thing to still give me hope for the land of ice and snow. Brrr, I'm cold!!! A Kerry win will definitely warm things up!!! :hi:

[jpgray]

4. My area of St. Paul is absolutely littered with Kerry signs

I think we're going to take Minnesota without too much trouble.

[Green Hornet]

6. Minnesota is safe

Agreed, let the Repugs think it is competitive and waste their money here.

[shockingelk]

9. Agreed

Eibensteiner is thinking fancifully.

Like in WI and NH and 4 other states, you can walk in on election day, register and vote in about 10 minutes.

The number of new "ABB" voters in the twin cities alone is astounding. It was more common than uncommon for the Democratic caucuses in precincts to break the record of number of people showing up by a factor of 3. Jr's support is in the suburbs and most of the people that would vote already vote.

[jackieforthedems]

7. jpgray

:hug: to you!!! Thanks for making my day!!! :-)

[Puglover]

10. South Minneapolis here...

at the fair the Repuke booth was maybe 1/2 way full of little trolls with that creepy look Repukes seem to all share.....and the DFL booth was standing room only and really buzzing with energy....I think Minnesota will be okay.

[Thor_MN]

8. Typical GOP - poor understanding of cause and effect

When the polls accurately indicate Minnesota's seeing through GOP BS and therefore not voting for them, they want to change the outcome by changing the polls. To them, it doesn't matter that the polls have accurately tracked the elections, they want their way, so change the polls!!! The total lack of logic displayed by conservatives is amazing, outdone only by the fact that they think they are logical. Most of their arguements boil down to emmotional appeals devoid of any logic.

[0007]

11. Minnesotans aren't that stupid to be bringing home a bush for Christmas

You can put Minnesota in the win column for Kerry. No doubt about it!

[Zynx]

12. If Bush had a similar lead anywhere they would announce "Kerry finnished!"

[LisaL]

13. Ain't it the truth?

They would have said Kerry is way behind the Bush.
So, Bush isn't itching up on Kerry. Bush is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy behind Kerry.

[bogey18]

14. When exactly did the Republicans start to simply

accuse everyone and everything that didn't agree with them of lying or cheating?

"Last week, Eibensteiner called on the newspaper to fire its longtime poll director, saying the poll consistently favors Democratic candidates. The latest poll results are "what I expected and why I had my press conference last Friday," he said. "A flawed methodology means that the results will be flawed. I'm not surprised in the least."

It seems this is a universal strategy with these guys.