Goddard Leads Brewer By Wide Margin
AZ AG Terry Goddard (D) leads Gov. Jan Brewer (R) by a wide margin, according to the state's most respected independent poll.
The Cronkite-Eight Poll, sponsored by ASU's Cronkite School of Journalism and KAET TV, shows 47% of AZ voters would back Goddard, while just 28% want to see Brewer get her own shot at a full term.
Brewer, elected Sec/State in '06, ascended to the top job when Pres. Obama tapped Janet Napolitano to take over at DHS. And her tenure, so far, has been rocky; the state faces huge budget deficits, so much so that it is considering a proposal to sell its own legislative buildings for a quick cash infusion, only to lease them back.
Brewer has challengers lining up on the GOP side as well, including Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker, ex-State Sen. Karen Johnson and a host of others. Ex-Transportation Sec. Mary Peters has not ruled out a race, and Treas. Dean Martin (R) is quietly mentioned as a potential candidate as well.
Meanwhile, Goddard is the only serious candidate on the Dem side.
(REID WILSON)
Brewer's troubles are part of a larger trend we're seeing around the country: It is incredibly difficult to be GOV right now, and many incumbents once thought to be safe now face difficult races, according to early polls.
CO Gov. Bill Ritter (D), IA Gov. Chet Culver (D), MA Gov. Deval Patrick (D), OH Gov. Ted Strickland (D) and TX Gov. Rick Perry (R) all have difficult opponents, while polls have showed NY Gov. David Paterson (D) and NV Gov. Jim Gibbons (R) virtually assured of defeat, most likely in their respective primaries.
The poll in AZ isn't all bad news for GOPers. Sen. John McCain (R) leads Napolitano in a hypothetical matchup, 50%-41%.
Pres. Obama's approval rating stands at an even 48% approve, 48% disapprove. That number will have to turn around if, as expected, the WH targets AZ's electoral votes in '12.
The poll was conducted 11/19-22 among 862 RVs for a margin of error of +/- 3.3%. The sample consisted of 36% GOPers, 34% Dems and 30% independents.