Posted on 08/11/2006 3:06:06 PM PDT by FloridianBushFan
In the latest pre-primary straw poll, Will McBride beat Katherine Harris, his primary opponent for the Republican nomination, and incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson. The outcome of the ballots cast at the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Hob Nob was 72 votes for McBride and 51 for both Harris and Nelson. Two other candidates for the GOP nomination, LeRoy Collins Jr. and Peter Monroe, received 12 and 2 votes respectively.
“This is the sixth significant straw poll in a row, in which we have virtually equaled or run ahead of Katherine Harris, making it very clear that a strong trend is developing in support of my candidacy”, McBride commented. “Although straw polls are no more than broad indicators, the results are very encouraging, as they reflect the broad support of Republican activists, core primary voters.
“The results reiterate that we are in a two candidate race for the GOP nomination, as also witnessed by two leading statewide tracking polls” McBride noted. “In Quinnipiac University’s July survey, we had 22% support of Republicans responding, while Strategic Vision reported 21% which was more than three times our June support level. The other candidates in the race were in single digits.
“The Harris campaign has spent millions of dollars during the past year and her support has declined steadily. Moreover, according to Strategic Vision, a shocking 54% of those supporting Ms. Harris said they could change their minds before election day. This emphasizes as nothing else the weakness of my opponent’s ever-dwindling support.
“On the other hand, support for my candidacy continues to build although we have spent relatively little in the three months since announcing my entry into the race.”
In addition to last night’s victory at Winter Haven, McBride defeated Harris handily in surveys conducted at the Young Republcan state convention and the meeting last week of Orange County YRs. Moreover, McBride and Harris have finished in dead heats during the last three weeks at the Seminole County Republican Stampede, the Sanford/Seminole County Chamber of Commerce Hob Nob and the Apopka Chamber of Commerce Political Hob Nob.
“The reasons for our strength are twofold”, McBride observed. “First, Republicans want a viable alternative to Katherine Harris who can beat Bill Nelson. Second, when they learn what my candidacy stands for, they know they have found that alternative.
“Wherever I go around the state, the people I meet are as concerned as I am about the need to stop the out-of-control spending by Congress and to launch an ethical renewal on Capitol Hill”, McBride concluded. “Once we defeat Harris in the primary on September 5 and Nelson in the November general election, we will go to Washington to fight these battles for the people of Florida.”
( Yawn ) straw poll....
A straw poll of 137 people taken at the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Hob Nob. Sounds statistically significant to me.
I can produce a straw poll that says the Detroit Lions will be Super Bowl Champs.
Finally a little sunshine is peeking through the dark clouds of that race.
If McBride's numbers continue to show that he stands the best chance of defeating Nelson, do you think his competition in the Primary may throw their support behind him?
Ah, but what year?
bttt
In 2002, Jeb Bush defeated a guy named Bill McBride in the governor's race. Now, there's apparently a guy named Will McBride running for senate. Are these two McBrides related in any way? Are they both actually named William McBride? Did Will change his name from Bill so as to avoid confusion? Or did he change it from something else to create confusion? Are the folks in Florida confused? Are you confused? I know I'm confused.
Thanks for any insights you may have about this weirdness. I mean, confusion.
I agree the McBrides are confusing. But think about the problems facing Illinois Republicans a few years ago. Governor Ryan was facing legal problems and not seeking re-election, so the GOP chose Attorney General Ryan to seek his post. The AG had to keep asking newspapers to include first names in their headlines about the ethical issues surrounding the Gov. Two years later the GOP chose a third Ryan to run for the Senate. He had to withdraw after allegations by his wife (Jeri Ryan, Seven of Nine from Voyager) about him wanting to have sex with her in front of their friends.
Floridians are waking up. The want to win the election and want a strong candidate.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.