http://www.swingstateproject.com/elections...lections_house/

Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Tuesday Poll Round-Up: RI-Sen, RI-Gov, TX-Gov, TX-21
Posted by James L.
Lots of polls lately to share. First off, there's some good news from Rhode Island, where Democrats are gaining momentum:

RI-Sen (Brown Univesity Poll, registered voters, February in parens):


Sheldon Whitehouse (D): 38 (35)
Lincoln Chafee (R-Inc.): 37 (40)
Undecided/Decline to answer: 25 (26)
MoE: ±3.5%

Sheldon Whitehouse (D): 55 (44)
Steve Laffey ®: 25 (29)
Undecided: 20 (27)
MoE: ±3.5%


RI-Gov (Brown, Feb. in parens):


Charles Fogarty (D): 39 (35)
Don Carcieri (R-Inc.): 44 (46)
MoE: ±3.5%

The same poll shows President Bush with a dismal 20% approval rating, and a mediocre 51% for Senator Chafee. Whitehouse is really making a race of this one, and don't believe any spin you may hear that this is an unwinnable race if Laffey doesn't knock off Chafee in the Republican primary.

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I like the addition of this POLL in the RI State Poll. Bush at 20% Says A LOT !!!

Beach

I must add a bit here to damper the enthusiasm. First of all, I don't think Laffey will end up being the Republican nominee. And the Chafee name carries a lot of weight in Rhode Island. Lincoln is the second Chafee to hold this Senate seat, having taken it over from his father.

That said, RI may be in the mood for a change. I sure as heck hope so.

Also, I keep hearing that RI is considered the "bluest" state in the country. But I've never understood why. I think either MA or VT would qualify as "bluer". For example, all the MA Senators and Congressmen are Dems, and the State Legislature is 87% Dems. Maybe it's because of MA's recent bad habit of electing GOP Governors?
BTW, I think we're in line to correct that one this year.