Public Policy Polling (5/14-16, Colorado voters, 3/5-8 in parens):
Michael Bennet (D-inc): 44 (43)
Jane Norton (R): 41 (43)
Undecided: 14 (14)Michael Bennet (D-inc): 44 (45)
Tom Wiens (R): 36 (37)
Undecided: 20 (18)Michael Bennet (D-inc): 45 (46)
Ken Buck (R): 39 (36)
Undecided: 16 (14)Andrew Romanoff (D): 43 (44)
Jane Norton (R): 41 (39)
Undecided: 16 (17)Andrew Romanoff (D): 41 (44)
Tom Wiens (R): 37 (36)
Undecided: 22 (20)Andrew Romanoff (D): 41 (45)
Ken Buck (R): 38 (34)
Undecided: 22 (21)
(MoE: ±3.0%)
No huge changes in the top lines here, though it is certainly nice to see Bennet with his head back above water for change against NRSC favorite Jane Norton, thanks in large part to Bennet’s improvement among independent voters. But speaking of Norton, it’s looking like she’s in for a rough ride against teabagger favorite Ken Buck, the District Attorney of Weld County. Check out these primary trend lines:
Jane Norton (R): 31 (34)
Ken Buck (R): 26 (17)
Tom Wiens (R): 5 (7)
Others: 10 (9)
Undecided: 29 (32)
(MoE: ±4.6%)
If you haven’t seen it already, check out this Denver Post profile on Norton’s rather vacuous campaign, in which she has a hard time defending the very existence of her candidacy to reporters. It’s stuff like that that really deflates the notion that Norton is in any way formidable. And, for what it’s worth, PPP’s Tom Jensen is willing to put his dollar on Buck winning the primary right now.
In the Democratic primary, Bennet’s lead is looking a bit more comfortable:
Michael Bennet (D-inc): 46 (40)
Andrew Romanoff (D): 31 (34)
Undecided: 23 (26)
(MoE: ±4.7%)
I’m sure Romanoff supporters may point to the late surges of candidates like Jack Conway, Joe Sestak, and Bill Halter as evidence that Romanoff can still win this. Maybe so! But remember that all of those examples were backed by serious financial muscle, whereas Romanoff is at a severe disadvantage in that department.
Conway, Sestak, and Halter staked out more progressive ground. Romanoff has failed to do so or really even give a strong, resounding rationale for his candidacy. In doing so, he left Bennet room to move to the left.
the last few days; even the Blumenthal bombshell is starting to look salvageable.
in the Colorado GOP? Just wondering.
is pretty brutal. No wonder that PPP’s Tom Jensen would bet against her winning that primary.
It’s a bit unfortunate Jane got a serious primary challenger, since if she survives she’ll likely emerge as a tougher candidate. Otherwise Bennet (assuming now that he wins his primary) would’ve had a exceptionally weak opponent.