Dave Gilliard, consultant for Congressional candidate State Senator Jeff Denham, fired off a note to an unknown number of recipients in which he lays out how particular "hits" on another candidate, former Congressman Richard Pombo, really drag him down in popularity. Gilliard attached to his note a memo from longtime FR friend Steve Kinney, with more summary details on a poll that Public Opinion Strategies conducted in CD 19. Below is the text of Gilliard’s note, and linked below is the Kinney memo… And who ever said politics wasn’t a contact sport?
2/10/2010
TO: Interested Parties
FR: Dave Gilliard
Public Opinion Strategies just completed a poll in CA 19. A memo from the pollster is attached. The bottom line is that Jeff Denham starts with strong name ID and positives as well as a significant lead on the ballot test. When voters learn of a single fact – the Radanovich endorsement of Denham – Denham’s lead over Pombo expands to 38 % to 11 %. That lead becomes insurmountable once voters learn about both major candidates. It is also clear that Richard Pombo’s candidacy is very harmful to the Republican Party in 2010.
Here are some highlights:
- 77% of likely voters rank “high ethical standards” as the most important trait for a member of Congress.
- 87% of voters are less likely to vote for Pombo when they learn he billed taxpayers for his motor home vacation to seven National Parks.
- 89% of voters are less likely to vote for Pombo when they learn his staffers billed taxpayers while doing campaign work.
- 85% of voters are less likely to vote for Pombo when they learn his office worked closely with Jack Abramoff and he accepted over $35,000 from Abramoff.
- 82% of voters are less likely to vote for Pombo when they learn he paid his brother and wife over a quarter of a million dollars from his campaign account.
Numerous other Pombo characteristics also tested in the 70-80% Less Likely range. As you know, anything over 60% is highly damaging.
Other highlights:
- 85% says the country going in wrong direction
- Congressman George Radanovich has 85% hard name ID – 66% positive.
- Congressman Devin Nunes has 35% hard name ID – 23% positive.
Please call me if you have any questions.
Dave Gilliard
GBA Inc.