The Great Orange Satan, in their efforts to move beyond merely reporting polls to actually driving them, polls Oklahoma:
Research 2000 for Daily Kos (6/9-11, likely voters, no trendlines)
Jim Inhofe (R): 53
Andrew Rice (D): 31
(MoE: ±4%)
A 22-point gap: at first glance, not that hopeful for Rice. However, digging deeper into the poll, most of that gap seems attributable to the fact that no one knows who Rice is: 52% of respondents said they were “Unsure” when asked whether they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of him.
Inhofe’s low re-elect numbers show the desire for change is there. It’s up to Rice (and the DSCC) to break through the clutter and let voters know he’s an option:
If the election for US Senate were held today, would you to reelect Jim Inhofe, would you consider voting for another candidate or would you vote to replace Inhofe?
Reelect 39
Consider someone else 23
Replace 28
Bring in some of the states big dogs like Gov. Henry or the Borens to help close the gap.
Kerry lost by 31 points, Obama is only down 14.
Oklahoma isn’t a very expensive media market, so Rice shouldn’t have trouble getting his name out, but I still don’t consider it a very viable pickup.
Rice is running a good campaign and the DSCC clearly sees something here. If Rice raises around 5 million and makes some good TV ads the gap will close and then maybe the DSCC will drop some serious money in. Then it would be a real race.
It’s not a top ten pickup but this year there are more then 10 seats competitive.
I know he’s the cautious type, but if he would campaign with Andrew Rice that would help more than DSCC money even. People have surprisingly good opinions of Rice. If he can make the race a little closer, Gov. Henry will feel the pressure to help Rice.
With all of this ink being typed about Boren not endorsing Obama, I was curious if he’s endorsed Rice? I’m also not too disappointed by these polls and believe Rice will have the resources to become competitive, I think Schumer likes what he sees.
HAS TO be a top priority for the DNSC during the next cycle. He’d probably even be favored to beat Coburn.