Susquehanna Polling and Research for Lou Barletta (6/27-29, likely voters, 3/27-29 in parens):
Paul Kanjorski (D-inc): 41 (42)
Lou Barletta (R): 45 (47)
(MoE: ±5%)
Barletta coughs up another lead in a new internal poll, and although the numbers are probably best served with a grain of salt, it’s sort of telling that we haven’t seen rival numbers from Kanjorski or the DCCC. In fact, Kanjorski’s response to the poll doesn’t exactly inspire confidence:
A Kanjorski campaign spokesman declined to comment on the poll.
That’s the exact same response that Kanjorski’s camp gave in June. Weak, sir.
Kanjorski isn’t used to competitive campaigns, and the rust has clearly been showing in recent months with one gaffe after another. (Check out his latest bumbling interview with CBS news for his latest smash hit on the issue of earmarks.)
While it might be hard to believe that Barletta is leading (or will hold onto his lead) in a D+5 district, his aggressive populist campaign appears to be catching Kanjorski on the wrong footing.
SSP is changing its rating of this race from “Likely Democratic” to “Lean Democratic“.
Is this the kind of district he should do well in? I know it has a D PVI but is it blue collar? I expect it probably is if Barletta is scoring on immigration in particular.
I mean wow. I was not buying the hype on this race, but after watching that, wow, Kanjorski sucks.
sigh Better Democrat for 2010? And we better hope it is better democrat and not MORE democrat having to take out a Rep. Barletta.
taken in June? Uh-huh.
Though the Kanjorski campaign’s response is unsettling too, you have to wonder why they waited over a month to let us know about that internal poll.
If Lou ran in a better GOP year maybe, but not this year. If his internal has him up 4 I’m inclined to believe he’s down about 5-10 points.