Casey-Santorum race getting tighter, says another survey

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06230/714477-177.stm

Yet another survey has found a narrowing of Democrat Bob Casey's lead in his challenge to incumbent U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa.

Strategic Vision, an Atlanta-based public affairs firm, released a new survey yesterday depicting the Democratic state treasurer's support among likely voters at 47 percent, with 41 percent for Mr. Santorum, 4 percent for Green Party candidate Carl Romanelli and 8 percent undecided.

Without the Green Party candidate in the mix, the results were nearly identical, with 48 percent for Mr. Casey, 41 percent for the incumbent and 11 percent undecided.

The survey of 1,200 voters, which had a theoretical margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent, was also consistent with other recent polls in showing Gov. Ed Rendell leading his Republican opponent, Lynn Swann. The Democrat, who has far outspent his challenger, had the support of 51 percent of those surveyed compared with 41 percent for Mr. Swann.

The results were released the day after Mr. Swann appeared with President Bush at a mid-state fund-raising event. They showed that while the president may still be a reliable fund-raiser for GOP candidates, his popularity in the state continues to languish.

[Chipper Chat]

1. Another 2-point closure and Diebold will be able to steal it

for Mr. Man-On-Dog.

[Junkdrawer]

36. Read my post here from May...I think Rendell cut a deal...

Counties can purchase electronic voting machines without a referendum

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G.
Rendell commended the Pennsylvania Supreme Court today for taking action that
will allow Westmoreland County, and other counties, to move ahead with plans
to buy new electronic voting machines as part of a federal requirement before
the May primary election.

"The Supreme Court today has clarified the rules that will help
Pennsylvania counties appropriately prepare for upcoming elections," Governor
Rendell said. "With this prompt decision by the court, counties can now move
forward in meeting the federal requirements under the Help America Vote Act
(HAVA) and buy new electronic voting machines."

The state Supreme Court reversed a February 13 decision by Commonwealth
Court that had prohibited Westmoreland County from buying new electronic
voting machines (Mary Beth Kuznik, et al. v. Westmoreland County Board of
Commissioners, et al., No. 18 MAP 2006).

"Though the State Supreme Court soon will issue an opinion explaining its
order, we believe that the Court's ruling validates what the commonwealth's
position has been all along," Governor Rendell said. "Federal law supersedes
any state laws that hinder the commonwealth's compliance with mandates of
federal law.
...

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-02-2006/0004312542&EDATE=

Gee, ah, thanks Ed. Imagine how awful it would have been to run an election without the new machines. :sarcasm:

So... If Rendell (D) and Santorum(R) BOTH win in November, does that prove the machines were honest after all? :shrug:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=415288

[rocktivity]

43. Polls: The new WMD's

Watch how magically ALL the races tighten until the Repubs can squeak out a win by a recount-proof margin!

:headbang:
rocknation

[fedupinBushcountry]

2. Strategic Vision

is a Republican polling firm.

The poll was released Tuesday by Atlanta-based Strategic Vision, a Republican polling and consulting firm. It showed 45 percent of Republicans chose Harris as the Republican nominee, down from 48 percent a month ago.

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/nation/15122612.htm

This poll means nothing.

[depakid]

12. Yep- yet people will jump on this

just like they do with other obviously biased- or sometime outright dishonest polls that are meant to influence public opinion- NOT reflect it.

Part and parcel of the "poll fetish" that so many Americans seem to enjoy- even when reason might tell them that they're being manipulated.

[Ediacara]

3. Strategic Vision?

Ya, try 57/31 in reality...

[drm604]

4. Strategic Vision.

Notice how they don't refer to Strategic Vision as a polling firm?

"Strategic Vision, an Atlanta-based public affairs firm"

What the heck is a "public affairs firm"? Strategic Vision is a public relations firm. They say so themselves.

http://www.strategicvision.biz/home.html

At Strategic Vision, LLC we believe in achieving results for our clients. We position clients for today and tomorrow. We create a vision in a variety of ways that allows you to stand out from your competition.

Notice the Faux News screen shots on that page? That says it all. They even have something called "Strategic Vision Political" http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/index.html

At Strategic Vision Political, we craft winning results for our clients. Our team has over fifty years of experience in working on political races ranging from municipal to federal. We have worked with a wide range of issue advocacy groups across the country. Our client's success is the measure of our own.

That page has screen shots from both Faux and CNN. Do we need any more proof than this about what is happening with our media?

Our CEO, David E. Johnson, is sought after by the media for his comprehensive analysis and knowledge of the political world. His insight and expertise is the foundation upon which our clients' campaigns are built.

Mr. Johnson may (or may not) have "comprehensive knowledge" of the political world, but how honest can his analyses be when he's selling them to the highest bidder?

According to Amazon.com (when did they start doing website reviews?) Strategic Vision "provides political consulting to Republican candidates nationwide." http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0006FVMPG/103-6836012-2316607?v=glance&url=strategicvision.biz/

Here's a page about CEO David Johnson: http://www.speakermatch.com/keynotespeakers/2066353978.htm

David E. Johnson is the CEO and Co-founder of Strategic Vision, LLC, an Atlanta-based public relations and public affairs agency with offices in Georgia and Florida. A noted Republican strategist and pollster, Mr. Johnson appears regularly on CNN, FOX News Channel, Bloomberg News, Radio America, and ABC Radio News, as well as, numerous shows across the country.

He has been quoted such publications as Human Events, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Des Moines Register, New York Times, Washington Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, St. Petersburg Times, Seattle Post Intelligencer, and San Francisco Chronicle.

Mr. Johnson worked on Bob Dole’s 1988 Presidential Campaign, Jeb Bush’s 1994 gubernatorial campaign and has handled campaigns across the United States. His extensive polling was cited by the National Journal as some of the most accurate during the 2004 Election cycle.

Mr. Johnson additionally works with numerous corporations nationally in developing a corporate image and defining public relations strategies. For his work, he has been cited by PR Week.

Yea, I guess we're dealing with a respected polling firm! :sarcasm:

I guess I should include the obligatory who is page and satellite view:

http://whois.domaintools.com/strategicvision.biz

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=907+cove+pl+atlanta&ie=UTF8&ll=33.865498,-84.469972&spn=0.014361,0.043259&t=k&om=1

[RamboLiberal]

5. May be a Repub Firm but if Casey's Team doesn't get it in gear

Casey is going to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Many Dems in my area of W. PA think Casey is blowing it by not getting ads out against Santorum. Ricky has some very good ads out right now and they are running quite often. We don't even see or hear from Casey and people are complaining they can't get bumper stickers/yard signs. Yes I know you can buy them but unfortunately many Dems around here are used to getting this stuff free.

Casey campaign has been too quiet and Casey seems to lack fire so far. Believe me having sat through too many of Ricky's campaigns, the race is tightening and I'm not counting Ricky out.

[Placebo]

6. Okay, what in the blazes has been happening in PA in the past few weeks?

Why the hell is this race narrowing so much?

Dammit, I don't just want Santorum defeated, I want him blown out of the water!

[Ravenseye]

10. As Post 5 says...Casey has all but disapeared

I can't recall the last time I saw a Casey ad. They're probably running them, but I haven't seen them. All I'm seeing are Rendell and Santorum ads. The Santorum ads are particularly nauseating of late...showing him with his family saying he cares about families and all that bullshit.

Thing is it's softening him and that'll bring people around.

Casey needs to take the offensive and keep it if he's going to win this thing. Keep this up for another couple of months and Santorum will get re-elected. Count on it. Casey needs to show how Extreme Santorum is and pound it home.

He's not, so Santorum is gaining ground.

[bleedingheart]

14. you know what...people knew this would happen

his supporters pointed to his big "victory" over a guy named Peppers in the Treasurer race...but when he ran for Treasurer..he had no campaign ...his people just sent stuff out and none of his signs were used...so he ran on his name and won....

So the strategists thought...whoopeee!! we can run him on his name for Senate...but it isn't working this time.

I think he can beat Santorum but...it is going to be harder than most people though and I know insiders who think that Casey better get his shit together.

Santorum has stated that "Casey won't define himself...so I will"...

I shake my head in disgust...

[Ravenseye]

19. Keep in mind, I fully support Casey

Even though I was a Pennaccio supporter in the primaries, I'm behind Casey now...The thing is, one of the reasons I was a big fan of Chuck was that he actually tried to RUN. He was electric and dynamic. He was liberal and was calling out Santorum and Bush...

Casey was...around...and had his name...Usually when talking to people they had NO CLUE what Casey stood for...but they knew his father...Like you said...he ran for treasurer and won the democratic primary on name recognition. Something that the Chuck supporters were hollering for months was that Casey wasn't a lock against Santorum...Nobody listened.

Now here we go...Santorum is begining to define Casey, and redefine himself....He's selling it. Of course I'm not buying it, but you can be damn sure people like my in-laws are. They're the Fox News watching Bush voting, Santorum voters who had previously started considering Casey...thinking Santorum was too extreme...That a conservative Democrat like Casey might be better...Then he disapears, and Santorum starts running ads day and night about how he's a wonderfull guy, he's got a family, he's a fmaily man, he likes playing with his kids, real family...Next thing you know they are back leaning towards him because they're not being reminded of all the crap Santorum has said. They're not being reminded he doesn't live in the state, his campaign staff has broken the law, he's extreme and dangerous...

Where the fuck is fucking Casey? What the fuck is he waiting for?

[bleedingheart]

22. I could not agree with you more.

I supported Chuck but am now supporting Casey and am witnessing this debacle and am shaking my head.

[wisteria]

30. I was wondered also what has happened to Casey. Is he keeping his

powder dry for later use? I realize he only has so much powder, but sitting around waiting to us it while Santorum is using his and has plenty in reserves is not going to work IMO.

[Mandate My Ass]

39. Casey is the most reticent candidate I've ever encountered

The only time I've heard him open his yap is when -- unasked -- he opined that ScAlito was a fine SCOTUS nominee and if he were Senator he'd approve him. That was when some senior Dems were trying to get a filibuster going.

:wtf:

[wisteria]

28. Santorum has been running constant commercials that lie about

how wonderful he is and mention that he is the best thing to ever happen to PA,senior citizens and those looking for real meaningful work in PA. Watching these commercials would give one the impression that Rickey could part the seas and stop famines. Santorum has money rolling in from all his big pharmaceutical and other corporate backers. This unfortunately helps him distort his real record and present Rickey sunshine to the electorate.

[Ravenseye]

31. And the Ad's are fake!

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=17059020&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=8

Why Casey isn't making noise about this kind of crap is beyond me.

[Judi Lynn]

7. This may be useful, from NewsHounds:

Rick Santorum Narrowing the Gap? Cheap Tricks and Controversy Not Mentioned
Reported by Janie - August 17, 2006 - 16 comments
Brit Hume returned to "Special Report" last night (8/16), as did much of the Democrat-bashing, biased statements and exclusion of important facts. During the "Two Minutes of Hate" (AKA "Grapevine") segment, Hume tackled the subject of the PA Senatorial race between Republican Sen. Rick Santorum and his challenger Bob Casey. Hume discusses Santorum's sudden rise in the polls, mentions the addition of the new Green Party challenger, Carl Romanelli, but neglects to mention the controversy and drama surrounding Santorum's campaign.

Hume intoned, "Pennsylvania Republican Rick Santorum has narrowed the gap on his Democratic Senate challenger Bob Casey, who held an 18-point lead just two months ago.

A new Quinnipiac poll shows Santorum trailing Casey by 7 — 47 percent to 40 percent — without possible Green party candidate Carl Romanelli in the race. Romanelli's presence shrinks Casey's lead to 6 — 45 percent to 39 percent — with Romanelli earning 5 percent and 11percent undecided."

And how exactly did Romanelli get into the picture? How exactly has he helped shrink the lead of Casey over Santorum? This is information Hume obviously won't provide to his viewers.

Romanelli was recently added to the ballot after retaining enough signatures (and money) to join the race - however the majority of the funds and signatures were provided by Santorum supporters. While not illegal, this can be viewed as a rather dirty political trick.

Now, it's come to light that some of the signatures may have actually been forged by Santorum's own campaign staff, leading critics to question the legality of Romanelli's candidacy.
(snip/...)

http://www.newshounds.us/2006/08/17/rick_santorum_narrowing_the_gap_cheap_tricks_and_controversy_not_mentioned.php

[AX10]

38. How much is Romanelli being paid by the GOP?

Look, Casey is a conservative Democrat, but that helps him in the rural areas. He will be much better than Santorum, at least on economic issues.

[SoCalDem]

8. Well now, we "knew" that would "happen"...now didn't we?

How else would people accept the diebold miracle, when Santorum "wins" by ....

1. ooooh..so close
2. photo finish...too bad casey,
3. just over the amount to trigger a recount that would never happen anyway

This is how it works... the polls have to be :
inching closer
too close to call
a real horse race
withing the margin of error
gaining strength
neck and neck

Just watch the language in articles start to show Ricky-the-fetus-worshiper pulling up in the polls.. He has done nothing to deserve higher ratings, but they will be manufactured for him...just in time for a come-from-behind victory...just like in Georgia :(

[Ravenseye]

11. This poll is crap

but I wouldn't be surprised that Santorum is ganing ground. He has ads all over TV and there is hardly a whiff of anything about Casey.

The majority of local political news we are getting here in Pittsburgh is

1) Mayor O'Connor's cancer treatments and the hullabaloo of naming a deputy mayor and some surrounding controversy.
2) Rendell's strong lead over Swann in the Governor's race.

Barely hearing about anything else. So combine that with tons of Santorum ads, mostly friendly family 'hi I'm really a nice guy' ads and there's the bounce. He's gaining back previous republican/conservative supporters. Casey isn't doing squat to really put those people solidly in his camp....he's not doing anything.

Casey needs to turn it on soon before Santorum really officially closes the gap to less than 10 points.

[Gman]

9. And the Green is in there doing his job

which is syphon votes from Casey.

[skipos]

13. Yes, GREEN= Getting Republicans Elected Every November

That is their job.

[CollegeDUer]

17. I don't think so

People vote in elections, they decide. That's what democracy is all about.

[skipos]

18. Republicans LOVE and $UPPORT Greens.

But you are right, people vote in elections and they can vote as dumb as they want.

[Ravenseye]

21. It's negligible

Honestly. The number of votes the Greens will syphon will be unimporant. The race should NEVER get that close. Santorum isn't making headway because of the Greens, he's making headway because Casey is nowhere to be seen.

Right now in PA there is apparently only one person running for the Senate seat, and that person is Santorum. Casey isn't on TV (that I've seen), nor in the news....Where is he? Meanwhile Santorum is all over the TV with ads left and right...

Casey's double digit lead WILL evaporate if he doesn't do something, and it won't be the fault of the Green party, it'll be all his own.

[Gman]

27. The race should NEVER get that close.???

That's what we heard in 2000 over and over ad nauseum. A statement like that reflects the state of denial Green voters remain in.

[Ravenseye]

29. I'm not a Green voter

Even in those polls you're looking at a 1% draw because of the green. Maybe 2% tops. If Casey should never be so close to Santorum as to make that 2% matter. If he gets that close then it's more a fault of the 15-20% lead he squandered with his crappy non-existant campaign that relies on name recognition alone, than that last 1-2% leeched off by the Green party.

That's like drinking all but the last gulp of a 16oz soda, and then chiding the person who takes that last swig for finishing the soda.

[bleedingheart]

15. People were calling in to Lyn Cullen bitching that they

have called to help Casey and they get no guidance ...nothing

no bumper stickers
no buttons
no yard signs
no calls to help volunteer.

I have two people nagging me as a committee woman about his campaign but no one is around.

Meanwhile Rendell is using the Casey volunteers to run his campaign because Casey's campaign is????? your guess is as good as mine

[Ravenseye]

20. EGG ZACK LEE

I have seen NO Casey bumper stickers, buttons, yard signs. I haven't been contacted by his campaign to donate, nor to volunteer...

With Chuck Pennacio in the primary I got all that stuff. Easily. Some of it I had to download and pay for myself, but Casey doesn't even have that, or if he does I don't see it.
Sure there is stuff on his website, but...I don't know....it's absent imho...I feel no connection to the campgain AT ALL, which is bad...

If Casey loses this race, it won't be the fault of the Green party, it'll be his own damn fault for being the shittiest campaigner in history.

[bleedingheart]

23. to find Casey's store you have to dig deep to find the link

it is under the Take Action portion of his web site.

it should be a straightforward link.

[wisteria]

32. I was contacted to canvass this week. It has been very quite though.

One problem as I see it, is his need to utilize the grassroots more and branch out. His headquarters are planted in the big city locations only. Those locations for many unfortunately, are a long way to go to phone bank or pick up literature.

I also don't understand why, when he makes appearances, they don't publish them in the papers. If the paper doesn't want to send out someone, then they should pay for the announcements themselves.

Oh, and I think Rendell didn't help us out with his interview in the Weekly Standard. What was he thinking allowing himself to be interviewed by this Republican rag and during an election period no less? Then he makes it worse by praising Santorum.:banghead:

[alcibiades_mystery]

16. Casey keeping his powder dry

:rofl:

You know how well that works...

Another six years of Man-on-Dog. Aaaargh.

[bleedingheart]

24. I want to be mad at you...I really do...

but I agree with you...as my stomach heaves...but I am going to work to change this...

[RCinBrooklyn]

25. Casey was a poor choice. The distinctions are not clear enough.

[wisteria]

35. Oh, there are plenty of differences, it is just that Casey hasn't

made the effort to point them out.

[Tesha]

40. Yeah, Santorum is pro-life, but Casey is pro-life instead.

And Santorum was pro-Alito while Casey was pro-Alito!

The diffences should be clear to anybody!

Tesha

[wisteria]

42. Casey represents Democratic values and there are major differences

there.

Honest leadership and an open government
Real security
Health care that works for everyone
energy independence
Economic Prosperity
Retirement security
real support for our troops

Now, all Casey has to say is that Santorum votes with President Bush 98% of the time. He has voted against funding Health care increases for the VA leaving 1 million PA Vets Health care in jeopardy. Oh, and the vote Santorum made allowing $10 billion in tax breaks for oil companies in the next five years.

Casey isn't at all like Santorum, we just need to emphasize that point when we talk with people.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

26. Gee, Casey, wasn't the platter silver enough for you?

This race was handed to you on a silver platter and you, with your anemic/apathetic campaign, are managing to blow it.

Get your ass in gear, Casey...if you don't know what to do, talk to Ed Rendell's people!!!!

Rendell KNOWS how to campaign.

:grr:

[RamboLiberal]

33. I heard a few minutes of Casey's campaign manager the

other night on Jon McIntyre - KDKA evenings when Pirates aren't on - and from the little I heard it was like la-de-dah-de-dah, we know what we're doing, we're going to be fine, the campaign is doing great, we're going to all these fairs on our bus, etc.

It's like they're not even listening to those of us out here who actually know when a candidate should be out there fighting.

Meanwhile whenever Ricky's manager - Braybender(sp) gets on it's all nonstop fire and brimstone ripping of Casey and Dems and Liberals.

I'm with those of you who would have prefered a more liberal candidate but got behind Casey because we were assured this was the candidate who could beat Santorum.

Anyone got an email address of the Casey campaign we can send this thread?

[gasperc]

34. Santorum does have an almost 2-1 money advantage

As I've commented months ago, Casey has to step up his game, Santorum will run a Saxby Chambliss campaign in order to win. Casey better understand this or lose in November. Casey is fortunate that he is still in the lead at this point, Santorum has being doing all he can to be ahead by labor day. Casey has to pound Santorum hard and force SAntorum to spend as much money as possible NOW. Santorum can not afford to lose a single point of support and Casey can easily draw Santorum into a fight that'll force to spend big bucks just to maintain his 41-42% support.

[AX10]

37. Where the HELL is Casey???

He should be making his presence more known!

This seat was to be an easy victory for us, and now it's going to the point where it could be stolen! :argh:

[EndElectoral]

41. Number of Casey ads - 0; number of Satan's ads - five billion

How is he able to afford it? I can't take them anymore. Please get them off....