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| Ken Cuccinelli gaining ground on Terry McAuliffe in latest poll |
| 2013-09-19 |
| [WASHINGTONEXAMINER] Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli has cut Democrat Terry McAuliffe's lead in half, according to the latest Quinnipiac poll, but there's a Libertarian wildcard in the race who could complicate the final 50 days of the race. A Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday showed McAuliffe with a narrowing 44 percent to 41 percent edge over Cuccinelli after weeks of polls gave the Democrat about a 7-point advantage. In what could be a sign of discontent with both candidates, Libertarian Party candidate Robert Sarvis tallied 7 percent in the poll of likely voters. Most of his support comes from self-described independents and it's not clear which candidate he hurts the most. It's possible Sarvis is a late summer protest pick for voters disenfranchised by the nasty, negative race. Neither McAuliffe nor Cuccinelli is well liked by Virginians -- McAuliffe's favorability is split at 38 percent, while Cuccinelli has a net -17 favorability rating -- and 18 percent are undecided or may change their mind by Nov. 5. Third-party candidates tend to see their support dwindle by Election Day. Many polls last year gave Constitution Party presidential candidate Virgil Goode, a former Virginia congressman, a chance to steal significant support from Republican nominee Willard MittRomney ...former governor of Massachussetts, the Publican nominee for president in 2012. He is the son of the former governor of Michigan, George Romney, who himself ran for president after saving American Motors from failure, though not permanently. Romney has a record as a successful businessman, heading Bain Capital, and he rescued the 2002 Winter Olympics from the midst of bribery and mismanagement scandals.... in the Old Dominion. But in November, Goode pulled in just 0.33 percent of the vote. Libertarian Gary Johnson received 0.80 percent. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #5 I still wish Bill Bolling were the Repub candidate, but we gotta go with what's available. :-( |
| Posted by: Barbara 2013-09-19 22:50 |
| #4 Last time I talked to Ken Cuccinelli was at a book signing. I told him that he is the first candidate in my life whom I am going to vote FOR, rather than just against the other guy in the election. Of course, I also will be voting against McAullife, but that was before I realized how slimy he is. |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2013-09-19 21:14 |
| #3 I'll vote for Cooch - what choice do I have? (McAuliffe isn't a choice, he's a disaster, and a greedy-assed bastard to boot.) I'll PROUDLY vote for Jackson for Lieutenant Governor. Hope our Virginia Rantburgers can see their way clear to do the same. |
| Posted by: Barbara 2013-09-19 13:11 |
| #2 Ah yes, Libertarians Party pols, helping Dems win close races for years. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2013-09-19 12:03 |
| #1 Living in VA I have noticed these two candidates have generated little excitment from their traditional party supporters. This election will be a real hold your nose at the polls and select the least offensive. GOV Bob McDonnell really left Cuccinelli to deal with the results of several poor decisions. |
| Posted by: airandee 2013-09-19 09:20 |