CNN’s poll shows Webb leading Allen by 4%, confirming both the DSCC and Rasmussen polls of the past couple of days, Bob Lewis writes for the AP. There can now be no question that Webb has a considerable advantage over Allen going into the final week of the race, nor can there be a question that Allen has been badly harmed by going negative. Is Allen’s staff even capable of running a strong, positive campaign in the next week?
And Zogby WSJ confirms Webb’s lead, making it four polls today.
Posted by KCinDC on 31 October 2006 @ 12am
Waldo:
I can’t imagine that Allen will be able to change the tone of this race in 6 days. Something monumental will have to happen to switch it over. Allen may be in for a very depressing night very soon.
Posted by dkgeroe@vt.edu on 31 October 2006 @ 12am
What is amazing to me is that three of the four polls (the DSCC poll excluded) are showing Jim Webb at 50% or better.
It’s a question now of simply closing the deal.
Posted by JPTERP on 31 October 2006 @ 12am
Can Allen go positive? Yeah, he certainly can; before the M-word incident, Senator Allen was entirely positive. Then Democrats went negative, and Senator Allen felt like he had to fight back. Obviously, it is not working. And if he were to go positive now, no one would notice because, let’s face it, to paraphrase “good news is no news”. I hate to admit it, but right now Senator Allen needs one of two things: (1) Webb to screw up majorly to lose “moderate” voters (I doubt he could lose party-liners simply because of their anger towards George W… oh wait, George Allen; too many Democrats seem to be getting George W. Bush mixed up with Virginia’s Senator…and Maryland’s Republican candidate for Senate too. Hmm, curious) or (2) Republicans simply have a greater turnout than Democrats and swing voters.
Posted by CR UVa on 31 October 2006 @ 1pm
Yeah, he certainly can; before the M-word incident, Senator Allen was entirely positive. Then Democrats went negative, and Senator Allen felt like he had to fight back.
Remember that the negative stuff didn’t come from Democrats — in fact, it came primarily from his sister publishing a book chronicling all of the negative stuff.
Remember, too, that the negative information came out months ago. Then, out of the clear blue sky, Allen attacks Webb for having the gall to write about unpleasant things like his experiences in Vietnam. If Allen was going to respond in kind, he’s a couple of months too late. He made himself look like a bully, rather than somebody defending himself.
That’s got to be a familiar feeling for Sen. Allen.
Posted by Waldo Jaquith on 31 October 2006 @ 2pm
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Waldo Jaquith (JAKE-with) is an open government technologist who lives near Charlottesville, VA, USA. more »
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