Cross-posted at Calitics
Beacon Media News, publishers of Sierra Madre Weekly, Monrovia Weekly, Pasadena Independent, and Arcadia Weekly, note the results of a Russ Warner-paid-for poll of the 26th district. The poll shows Dreier's vulnerability in the district.
Republican Congressman David Dreier falling below the crucial 50% support threshold for re-election. After voters hear biographical statements on both Warner and Dreier, the race pulls into a statistical tie.
The poll was conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, a respected national polling firm, with a sample size of 400 likely voters in California's 26th district.
There's more in the article w/ highlights from the poll. Bush's high disapproval rating (63%).
And...
After hearing balanced statements about each of the candidates, Democrat Russ Warner pulls into a statistical tie with Dreier (44 percent to 47 percent). [emphasis mine]
The key there is "balanced statements." There's a risk to that. I listened as David Dreier, in a conference call w/ people in the district, smoothly mentioned that the leadership in congress wants to see gas prices go up to $10/gallon. Color me skeptical and not-hoodwinked. It's true that I have not fact checked that statement. But I have no trouble imagining the same kind of calmly reasonable voice coming out with statements -- unbalanced statements, lying statements -- about Warner.
Dreier certainly has lied about his own record. Voting against the GI bill and then touting his support for veterans.
So here's the challenge for the remainder of the campaign: If Warner can get the word out about himself so that voters can truly make a comparison between the two candidates, he has a chance to win this race. That's the hopeful part.
The challenge is that Mr. Smooth Liar Dreier may sandbag things by unbalanced statements.
Russ Warner's Campaign Home Page: http://www.warnerforcongress.com/