Hostettler Runs Best Against IN Dems
Most DC GOPers may be siding against ex-Rep. John Hostettler (R-IN) in the race for the party's nod to replace Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), but a new poll out today shows Hostettler running stronger against the crop of Dem candidates than ex-Sen. Dan Coats (R).
The poll, conducted from Feb. 22-24 by Research 2000 for the liberal blog Daily Kos, surveyed 600 likely votes, for a margin of error of +/- 4.0%. The poll tested Hostettler and Coats against Reps. Brad Ellsworth (D), Baron Hill (D), who has since said he will not run, and architect Jim Schellinger (D).
General Election Matchups Coats 37% Hostettler 40% Ellsworth 36 Ellsworth 34Coats 37% Hostettler 42%
Hill 37 Hill 36Coats 39% Hostettler 44%
Schellinger 34 Schellinger 33
Though Hostettler performs better in the poll, many GOPers are lining up behind Coats. House GOP Conf. Chair Mike Pence, who passed on a SEN bid, has endorsed Coats.
But Coats carries some baggage. The DSCC has repeatedly gone after Coats for lobbying work he did after leaving the Senate while residing in northern VA. And Coats is also feeling the heat from his GOP competitors ahead of the May 4 primary, with Hostettler even promising to highlight Coats' '93 vote to confirm Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
In fact, Coats carries the highest unfavorable rating of any candidate tested in the poll, with 36% of LVs having an unfavorable impression of him. Just 40% view him favorably. Hostettler is viewed favorably by 43% of respondents, with 31% unfavorable.
Hostettler's camp even touted on their website a recent automated poll that showed their candidate out-performing his "GOP rivals."
Among Dems, Hill is the best-known candidate. Fully 45% view him favorably, with 31% having an unfavorable impression. But he said over the weekend he will not run, and threw his support to Ellsworth.
Ellsworth, who has declared his candidacy, isn't as well-known, but he is fairly well-liked, with a 41%/24% fav/unfav rating. Schellinger hasn't declared his candidacy. His fav/unfav rating stands at 39%/32%.
If the Republicans give Dan Coats the nomination it is a sure fired win for (Elsworth....Pelosi's little Pawn ) she plulls the string and he speaks or moves.
John Hostettler will bring to Washington our message(the voter) John can win in November. This would leave Ellsworth off the Palosi, Reid team or the we will force you to do what we want team.
"If the Republicans give Dan Coats the nomination it is a sure fired win for (Elsworth"
Not if the GOP is smart and plays like the Dems. The GOP should give Coats the nomination and then have him withdraw in mid-May. That will give the Indiana GOP the opportunity to select a stronger candidate as his replacement. Perhaps Daniels or Pence or Rokita.
The Tea Party in Indiana will NOT support Coats. You'll see another year of not voting in the race if Coats gets the election.
The Tea Party base is extremely mad at the beltway GOP for meddling in our politics.
Coats gets the nomination, and Ellsworth is our next Senator.
The Tea Partiers are mad that with a field of four candidates already declared, including Indy Tea Party Organizer www.richardbehney.com, that the GOP and Mr. Pence choose to shove a Washington lobbyist up our posteriors.
Another sure sign of how out of touch the GOP is!!!!
AMEN, Allen! You are 100% correct. Let them ignore the tea partiers, though, and see how surprised they are come May, and then November. Mr. Coats AND Mr. Hostetler are not tea party candidates - they are more of what we are trying to get rid of...DC politicians. SURPRISE RNC & DNC! I'm glad they're focusing on them while we gather under the radar!
Eileen, funny, I'm Tea Party, and I'm for Hostettler. He was for Tea Party issues long before you were involved. Just because he isn't part of your little Tea Party/Behney group doesn't mean he isn't being supported by Tea Party people all over the state!
Cindy, we're all happy for you that you are a tea partier who supports Hostettler, but belittling people as the "little tea party/Behney group" makes you sound like a partisian GOPer. Furthermore, it is exactly the type of mentality that will destroy the liberty movement. No one is demanding that you support Richard Behney. However, the fact of the matter is that most of the tea partiers are crying out for real, citizen representation, and they feel that Hostettler has done his time already. Behney on the other hand is an informed citizen who understands the consitution. They love that. You can pretend otherwise if you like, but cut the condescension.
Quite frankly, if we as the Tea Party don't stand up and start putting new blood like Behney into the Republican party and DC as the whole, then the Liberty movement is already dead.
I have met all of the canidates, and I have spoken with 3 of them at length, including Behney, Stutzman, and Hostettler. I choose Behney every time. If you haven't, you've got to meet Richard. RichardBehney.com
I think John Hostettler would be the best Republican candidate AND the best Republican senator. Conservatives and Republicans should coalesce around him!
Why isn’t Mike Pence running? Why???
JeffersonAdams,
The reason I refer to it as the TeaParty/Behney group is because Behney's group has started an "Indiana Tea Party" newsletter that is nothing more than a front for Behney's campaign. They are co-opting the tea party as if they own it. Behney had NOTHING to do with most Tea Party startups around the state. I know, I was there in the beginning at the Evansville meetings, and with signs at our Tea Party events. Those of us down here in Evansville just know that John took on the establishment while he was in Congress. He was standing up for Tea Party principles and taking heat for it, 15 years ago. Have you listened to the forums? I have. Hostettler's knowledge of the Constitution is vast, no one running comes even close to him. Ron Paul has said John Hostettler knows more about the Constitution than any man he has ever met.
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great site loads of info, and it helped me a lot, so i thought i might aswell drop a comment i like your work here, and will be back for more. keep up the site