Graham trails undecided
Okay, I'm having fun with that headline, but it's to make a point.
Salisbury lawyer Bill Graham is one of the leading candidates for Republican nomination for governor next year. His campaign sent out a release touting a recent poll:
Bill Graham is the clear frontrunner in the primary for Governor in a recent North Carolina statewide survey among 500 likely Republican primary voters, who have voted in at least 2 of the last 3 statewide Republican primary elections. He has a double-digit lead over his opponents who only score in the single digits.
Right. But let's look at the numbers:
Graham: 21%Sen. Fred Smith: 9%
Former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr: 6%
Undecided: 65%
Not to be cranky, but if I were pulling a third of the backing given to "undecided," I don't know that I'd be touting the survey.
That said, in this particular poll he's doing better than Smith and Orr, but they have plenty of room to make up that ground.
Comments (9)
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That said, in this particular poll he's doing better than Smith and Orr, but they have plenty of room to make up that ground.* Mark
As a former Republican political expert on Republican primaries, I can assure you those 21% republican think Brother Billy Graham is feeling sad since his wife pass away last month to be with the Lord.
" A well informed elective will always preserve liberty, except those dang stupid republicians in my new Republican-Democratic party" * paraphasing Thomas Jefferson on political parties updated
Posted on August 1, 2007 11:53 PM
For those who may be new, or not paying close attention to this race, it's a different Bill Graham.
Posted on August 2, 2007 12:07 AM
Mark, I think you're missing another side to this story. Fred Smith has been all over the state physically and on the air (paid TV/radio spots)running for Governor for close to 2 years.
Republicans have known about Bob Orr for years. Bill Graham is new to the scene and he has something that neither Fred nor Bob have - a legislative victory (Gas Tax)that reduced people's taxes (est. $159 million for 2007). Mr. Graham has also spoken out against amnesty for illegal aliens.
My point is this - this poll shows that the GOP primary voter has little to no interest in Fred Smith and Bob Orr. Why? Because the GOP primary voter already knows those guys. I think this poll shows more upside for Bill Graham than it does for the other two gentleman. This primary is Bill Graham's to win - or lose.
Posted on August 2, 2007 2:14 PM
"This primary is Bill Graham's to win - or lose.."
It's WAY too early to make that judgement.
Posted on August 2, 2007 2:35 PM
"This primary is Bill Graham's to win - or lose.."
It's WAY too early to make that judgement.
Posted on August 2, 2007 2:35 PM
"It's WAY too early to make that judgement."
Actually, it isn't.
Remember, it's not like Fred hasn't been campaigning or running TV spots. Also, Fred gutted the central theme of his campaign when he voted for the Senate version of the budget. His YES vote on the budget broke his very own Taxpayer Protection Act. That is fatal.
Bob is - well - Bob. He won't catch on and he can't raise money.
So, I stand by my statement.
Posted on August 2, 2007 2:55 PM
For those who may be new, or not paying close attention to this race, it's a different Bill Graham.* Mark Binker
Thanks for making that point which proves my theory about those 21% Billy Graham supporters
It's WAY too early to make that judgement.* Bubba
You got that right Bubba! God is not going to get into this campaign and make a judgement on Billy Boy or the rest of the GOP losers.
Bill Graham is new to the scene and he has something that neither Fred nor Bob have - a legislative victory (Gas Tax)that reduced people's taxes (est. $159 million for 2007). Mr. Graham has also spoken out against amnesty for illegal aliens.* Fired up gas corporate consumer supporter Tim
You are dang right Tim about Brother Graham being new to the political scene in republican politics and his amazing tax victory that nobody knows about in this state. Don't you find it strange that Brother Billy never said one word against the outrageous profits of the major Global Oil companies in the last year? Of course Brother Billy is against amnesty for illegal aliens.
He just saw a rerun of " Independence Day" where those illegal alien lizards failed in their amnesty request from earth. You do understand that your candiate is not the brightest star on the Republican spaceship.
Posted on August 2, 2007 7:28 PM
This is a good discussion guys.
I would think the whole "which Bill Graham is this" thing might be monkeying with his approval rating some.
I also think with that many in the undecided column, there's time for a whole different candidate who is not on this list to come into play.
As for Fred Smith and Bob Orr, the fact that neither is pulling above single didget should be troubling but not fatal to their campaigns. Neither has occupied a post where they've really set a lot of people on fire. Graham was smart to choose two high profile issues early and thump on them.
But this thing has a long way to go. If it didn't, people like me would have to find a new line of work.
Posted on August 2, 2007 11:57 PM
But this thing has a long way to go. If it didn't, people like me would have to find a new line of work.* Mark Binker
The last thing you need in your young journalist career is becoming a political consultant at the State Capital. Focus on the big things in the political reporting corruption business, such as or as John Hood claims, this Beason lobbyist was not a "real" republican, but a used car salesperson from some area west of Greensboro.
Posted on August 3, 2007 11:08 AM