TX Gov Poll: Close race between Perry and Strayhorn

[ISUGRADIA]

Rick Perry (R) 40%
Carole Keeton Strayhorn (I) 31%
Chris Bell (D) 13%
Kinky Friedman 9%

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/February%202006/Texas%20Governor%20February.htm

February 14, 2006--Carole Keeton Strayhorn's defection from the GOP to run for Governor as an Independent is making things interesting in President Bush's home state.

In the six weeks since Strayhorn announced plans for an Independent challenge, her support has increased ten percentage points. She is now within single digits of catching Governor Rick Perry. Depending upon which Democrat is added in the mix, Perry leads Strayhorn either 40% to 31% or 38% to 29%.

In our January election poll for Texas, Strayhorn earned 21% of the vote.

Both Democratic contenders currently attract less than 20% of voters and a fourth competitor, Richard "Kinky" Friedman is in the high single digits. At the moment, the Democrats and Friedman appear as by-standers in a Republican civil war.

[acmejack]

1. It's a Rasmussen poll & the election is seven months distant.

The two front runners have conducted a two year running feud on the front pages of the State newspapers. Realistically, it will be tough to take the Governorship, but lets just wait until we take the poll that counts in November.

[rox63]

2. Keep in mind

that Strayhorn is Scotty McClellan's mother. I have my doubts as to how 'independent' she really is.

[NoPasaran]

3. Carole 4Names was a Dem, then a Rethug, now "Indie"

Her only loyalty is to herself.

[ISUGRADIA]

4. This seems to be the case since she couldn't compete

in the primary, she dropped her party afiliation ever so quickly.

[Mitt Chovick]

11. Carol Keeton McClellan Glaxo Smith Kline Exxon Mobil Strayhorn

n/t

[Yupster]

12. She is saying openly that she remains a Republican

and when she wins she will call herself a Republican.

Here's my conspiracy theory.

Cheney resigns soon.

Bush chooses Kay Bailey Hutchison as the new Vice President.

Governor Perry names his opponent Carol Strayhorn as the new senator.

Perry has a smooth ride towrd reelection.

How'd I do?

[last_texas_dem]

5. Ugh

So a combined 71% of Texans support either a right-wing nut Republican or a conservative Republican masquerading as an "Independent." And, considering the low 13% of Democrats supporting Bell, that means a decent percentage of that 71% are Democrats!

Just when I start thinking this place is starting to slowly get better politically...

[snowbear]

6. Isn't there another Democrat running in the primary there?

I could've sworn there was another "D" someone on here mentioned.. Or is Bell the only one?

for the info!

[last_texas_dem]

7. Yeah

Bob Gammage as the candidate seems to take a little bit more from all three of the other candidates, but keeps the race about the same closeness overall. Bell, Gammage, and one other Dem whose name escapes me will go against each other in the Dem primary in March.

Rick Perry (R) 38%
Carole Keeton Strayhorn (I) 29%
Bob Gammage (D) 18%
Kinky Friedman 8%

[snowbear]

10. Thanks Tx Dem!

I just can't bring myself to call you "last" Texas Dem, because I know plenty of great Democrats in the Lone Star state! :hug:

Once there's only one Democrat in the race, I wonder how they'll poll against "Scotty's mom"?

[NativeTexan]

8. Perry is the hypocritic the barely in the closet gay governor....

...that pushed to block gay marriage. Maybe his wife threatened, again, to out him if he didn't stand up for her "principles"!

[SteppingRazor]

9. Awww... poor Kinky Friedman...

The Jewish Cowboy's hovering at 9%? So sad :(