Posted on 09/19/2010 8:08:13 PM PDT by Pan_Yan
The momentum in the governor's race has shifted away from Republican Nathan Deal and toward Democrat Roy Barnes, two new polls indicate.
And, taken together, they revive the prospect neither candidate will garner a majority Nov. 2, which would trigger a Nov. 30 runoff.
In last week's Mason-Dixon sampling, Deal was up by 4 percentage points - the margin of error for the poll. That means he and Barnes likely were about even.
That survey, taken for the Georgia Newspaper Partnership - a cooperative of the Savannah Morning News and 12 other state newspapers - was mostly finished before last week's news about Deal's financial woes.
The former congressman owes more than $2 million because he assumed debt run up by his daughter and son-in-law's failed business.
An InsiderAdvantage Georgia poll taken Thursday night - after the revelations - showed Deal and Barnes, the former governor, tied at 42 percent.
Libertarian John Monds - the potential runoff catalyst - had 5 percent in each survey.
Even if Monds' support slips - as experts say is likely - to 2 percent or 3 percent - that could be enough to keep the leader in a close race short of the required majority.
...
Barnes has accused Deal of ethical lapses, which Deal denies. But experts say the ethics accusations and his financial problems might be merging in the minds of voters.
...
But Eisinger, dean of SCAD's School of Liberal Arts, said Barnes doesn't necessarily have smooth sailing.
He noted the Mason-Dixon poll found Barnes was viewed unfavorably by 34 percent, while just 25 percent looked askance at Deal.
...
"If we assume these poll numbers indicate the way people would vote," said University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock, "there almost has to be a runoff."
(Excerpt) Read more at savannahnow.com ...
Why is a Dem doing so well in GA?
Black voters and the AJC.
Too many fingers in the pot. The republican candidate who won the primary was probably the fourth best candidate. He beat the fifth best candidate in a run off.
Deal is a 17 year congressman who switched parties in 1994. He was investigated by the House ethics committee for some dealings one of his companies had with state contracts. And he co signed on a loan to his daughter's business for $2 million. She went bankrupt. He doesn't have $2 million dollars. Seriously flawed candidate.
On the bright side he is running against a former governor who got booted in 2002. Few Georgians remember 'King Roy' fondly.
That too.
This guy is a statistics genius. The poll could also mean that Deal is up 8 percentage points.
I am not at all excited about the choices this year in Geogia. I geuss we can vote for Deal and then when he gets tossed out Caegal (sp?) the Lt. Gov will be governor.
How is this an “ethical lapse” on his part? More like poor judgment on his part.
Yep. Everyone will need to get out the little whiskey flask they used in 2008 and participate in the ‘Get Drunk and Vote for Deal’ campaign.
You have to read through the double speak. Deal was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee because he was part owner of a company that had a no bid contract with the State of Georgia. Maybe something there, maybe not. But he resigned from the House in a big hurry to avoid the investigation. So he has an ethics cloud. The co signing issue isn’t really an ethics issue but it doesn’t help.
Call 1-888-KING-ROY
barnes only has support in urban areas, everywhere else he is hated with a passion.
...why is a Dem doing so well in Georgia....
Because his GOP opponent, Deal, has murky finances and some believe him to be ethically challenged. Deal has also been a Congressman in DC for many years and that disqualifies him for me.
Its wishful thinking.Barnes has about 44% which is where he will top out.He got 46% during his last time as governor and lost to our first republican govenor since reconstruction.Barnes was also the lead attourney in the failed attempt to overturn the Georgia voter ID act.Georgia doesnt forget easily why they turned him out the last time.He would be just an continuation of baraaaaaaak obama.
Yep, no bias in that remark.
Hey Roy,dont look now but obama is coming back to town.Do you think you could meet with him this time and avoid the “WHERES WALDO” moment?
“How is this an “ethical lapse” on his part? More like poor judgment on his part.”
Not even that. He underwrites his kids business loan ... and Obama happens. Is trying to start a business in this day and age ‘poor judgment’? Maybe.
The economy sucks and his kids business went under. He’s on the hook.
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