Capitol View: September 23, 2008 Archive

Quinnipiac Poll: Obama up two points

Posted at 6:12 AM on September 23, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The poll shows that 47% of those polled back Obama. 45% back McCain. When a similar poll was conducted in July, Obama was leading McCain 46% to 44%. Quinnipiac University surveyed 1301 likely voters in Minnesota between September 14th and September 21st. 55% of those polled say the economy is the biggest issue but are split as to which candidate better understands the economy. A majority of those polled say McCain better understands foreign policy. Here's some analysis by Quinnipiac Pollster Clay Richards:

"Sen. John McCain is within striking distance in Minnesota for two reasons: Republicans held their convention in the state and the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin brought a new wave of independent women to the GOP ticket, offsetting a big swing by independent men to Obama," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Pollsters also surveyed the Senate race but it did not include Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley. The poll found that Republican Senator Norm Coleman is leading DFL challenger Al Franken by seven percentage points. Coleman received 49% support from those polled. Franken received 42%. In a July poll, Coleman received support from 53% of those polled while Franken got 38% support.

Minnesota vs. Indiana

Posted at 1:55 PM on September 23, 2008 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

The Washington Post's Dan Balz wonders what in the heck is going on in Minnesota and Indiana. In other words, Minnesota is tight despite voting for every Democratic presidential candidate since 1972 and Indiana is tight despite voting for Republicans since 1964:

Watching these state polls is great sport and sometimes instructive. But it's helpful to recall how these states have performed in past elections and where they fit into national patterns. If Indiana and Minnesota are still both competitive a month from now, then we'll really be looking at something unusual.

Question of the Day: What is going on in Minnesota and Indiana?

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Poll: 57% support Wall Street bailout

Posted at 3:06 PM on September 23, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

A new poll by The Pew Research Center for People and the Press finds that nearly six in ten polled support efforts to spend billion to help ensure that the financial sectors and markets secure.

The poll also finds that people trust Barack Obama more than John McCain when it comes to addressing the economy. Only 19% of those polled think the government is doing an excellent or good job when it comes to handling Wall St. problems.

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Bachmann wants oil drilling linked to Wall Street bailout

Posted at 3:44 PM on September 23, 2008 by Tim Pugmire (5 Comments)

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., says she's still not on board with the Bush administrtaion's $700 billion plan to stabilize the nation's financial sector.

But Bachmann is also trying to link the Wall Street bailout with her push for expanded oil drilling. Bachmann and other Republicans are urging President Bush to allow oil companies to drill in currently closed areas of Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico. She says that would help offset the financial impact of the bailout.

"They will give billions of dollars in revenue to the federal government and state governments," Bachmann said.

Bachmann's DFL challenger in the 6th district, Elwyn Tinklenberg, says the attempt to tie oil exploration to the financial stabilization plan is an incredible distraction and a disservice to those who are seeking real solutions.

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Coleman weighs in on the bailout

Posted at 6:07 PM on September 23, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

MPR has the story.

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