Posted on 08/02/2002 11:06:46 AM PDT by CFW
U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney appears to be locked in a tight re-election battle, and her campaign manager said Thursday he is worried.
In a new poll, challenger Denise Majette claims a slight edge over McKinney in the Democratic race for the 4th Congressional District, 41 percent to 39 percent, with less than three weeks until election day. But the 6 percent margin of error makes it a statistical dead heat. About 20 percent were undecided.
"Yeah, I'm worried; I'd rather be ahead," said Bill Banks, McKinney's campaign manager. Banks admitted this is the toughest campaign fight that the five-term congresswoman has had.
"We're going work as hard as we can," he said.
Conducted by the nonpartisan Marketing Workshop, the poll was released Thursday by the Internet political news service that commissioned it, InsiderÂAdvantage. Three hundred people, a fairly low sample, were asked this week about their plans for the Aug. 20 primary.
InsiderAdvantage chairman Matt Towery said the poll showed 10 percent of those planning to vote in the Democratic primary otherwise aligned themselves with Republicans, indicating a potentially sizable "crossover" vote. Georgians can vote in either primary.
"But it remains to be seen if they will actually vote in the Democratic primary," said Towery, a former Republican state legislator.
McKinney has drawn criticism and controversy with her outspoken style. She caused a storm by suggesting President Bush might have known about the Sept. 11 attacks but did nothing so his associates could make money in the ensuing war.
Majette said Thursday's poll numbers were similar to internal poll numbers her campaign released several weeks ago. "None of this is surprising," said Majette, a former DeKalb County State Court judge.
But political observers were indeed surprised.
"To have a dead heat for an incumbent is truly astonishing," said Emory University political scientist Merle Black.
"If the poll is right, this would be an explanation of why McKinney started out with that huge [advertising] blast at Majette."
Charles Bullock, a political scientist at the University of Georgia, said the poll may indicate a change in the electorate. "New, younger voters may find her [McKinney's] style less appealing," he said.
My nomination for one of the Year's Ten Biggest Understatements. I'm really really hoping that the voters of that district will redeem themselves, show just ONE OUNCE of common sense and integrity, and vote Cynthia out on her downtown.
Michael
Mayor Daley would be green with envy to observe this commie b*tch's political machine.
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