Talking Points Memo reported on this poll this afternoon as well. From TPMDC:
"The race for Louisiana's U.S. Senate seat has undergone a fundamental shift in the past few weeks," the memo reads. "Vitter's mishandling of the [a recent scandal] and the emergence of a strong Republican primary challenger are new, dramatic hurdles to Vitter's already imperiled re-election prospects. Charlie Melancon's active role during the oil spill has provided him with a platform to demonstrate his strong leadership on behalf of Louisiana voters on a statewide platform. The head-to-head vote with Charlie Melancon is now a dead-heat, fifty percent of voters prefer someone new to another Vitter term, and voter perceptions of Vitter are tanking as the electorate continues to warm to Melancon."
This poll also shows us several other very interesting bytes of information.
· For the first time, half the electorate prefers “someone new” to another Vitter term. (41% Re-elect Vitter / 50% Someone New) – this means Vitter could have a very difficult time just winning his primary!
· Independents prefer someone new to Vitter by 51%, white unmarried women prefer someone new by 53%
· 10% is undecided and in that group only 21% are leaning towards re-electing Vitter with 50% of those preferring someone new!
· Last May Vitter enjoyed an 18 point net positive job rating – that is all gone and he is now he is at a net 11 NEGATIVE. That is a 30 point shift.
· 2:1 margin say that they have a less favorable view of Vitter now
With only 51% of the electorate reporting that they knew about the Furer scandal, it seems clear that there is a larger shift afoot for Vitter, and it isn't good news.
Good news for Melancon is also included in this poll which has his campaign very excited.
· This is the first time that a majority of Louisiana voters give Melancon a positive rating for the job he has done in Congress. (50% positive to 30% negative)
· AND by a 2:1 margin, voters say their impression of Charlie Melancon has become MORE favorable in the past few weeks. (20% more – 9% less)
Clearly the significant bump being enjoyed by Melancon is due to his work on the BP Oil Disaster in the Gulf.
View the polling memo for yourself here.
