Daily Kos Affirmations
A new Research 2000 poll conducted for Daily Kos shows a striking change in public opinion regarding the MN Sen. candidates since 11/4. Entertainer/almost-Sen. Al Franken (DFL) has seen his numbers improve -- particularly among Indies -- while quasi-ex-Sen. Norm Coleman (R) has experienced comparable declines.
The new survey, conducted 1/8-9, shows Franken with a fav/unfav of 49%/45% and Coleman with a rating of 41%/58%. In a previous Kos survey -- conducted by Research 2000 just days before the general election -- Franken and Coleman posted nearly identical marks of 45%/52% and 46%/51%, respectively.
Since the earlier poll, completed 10/27-29, Franken has improved moderately among Dem and GOPers and seen a massive swing among Indies. The DFLer's net -17% rating of 40%/57% among unaffiliated voters from 10/29 has given way to just a net -1% rating (45%/46%) today. Conversely, Coleman's pre-11/4 net rating of -7% among Indies (44%/51%) has dropped to a net -19% (35%/64%). Coleman experienced more temperate declines among both Dems and GOPers.
Another indicator of the changing public views of the would-be Sens. is Research 2000's re-matchup. Given the chance to cast their vote again, LVs in the new Kos poll select Franken 43-40% with Indie ex-Sen. Dean Barkley at 15% -- a 6% swing from the poll taken before the election. On 10/29, MN LVs backed Coleman by a 43-40% margin, with Barkley again at 15%. (On 11/4, Coleman and Franken each garnered 42% of the vote, while Barkley carried 15%.)
What's more, 46% say Franken won the Sen. race -- a higher proportion than actually voted for him; at the same time, 41% say Coleman was re-elected. Similarly, 47% oppose Coleman's legal challenge to Franken's victory, while just 34% favor it.
Both Daily Kos/Research 2000 polls surveyed 600 MN LVs and have margin of error +/- 4.0%.
(MATTHEW GOTTLIEB)
Is 43 to 40 (from 41 to 41) really a striking change?