Chicago Tribune Poll Kerry 52 Bush 38 in Illinois

[wndycty]

Kerry stays well ahead in Illinois

By Rick Pearson
Tribune political reporter
Published August 23, 2004

When Republican leaders and activists gathered at the State Fairgrounds in Springfield last week, one of the most unsettling pronouncements about the fate of the state's GOP came from central Illinois Congressman Ray LaHood.

"Our party is not dead," LaHood told a rally at the fair's officially designated Republican Day. "Our party is alive."

That LaHood felt the need to declare a political organization built by Abraham Lincoln still had a pulse was a telling reminder of the sagging fortunes of the Illinois GOP, and one borne out by a new Tribune/WGN-Ch. 9 poll showing Democratic presidential challenger John Kerry continuing to hold a strong lead in Illinois over President Bush.
-snip-

Kerry's lead over Bush in Illinois--52 percent to 38 percent--is identical to the support the Massachusetts senator received in a Tribune/WGN-Ch. 9 poll in mid-February, even before the Democrat had wrapped up his party's nomination. With more than two months still to go before Election Day, only 5 percent of voters surveyed say they are undecided while 4 percent said they would vote for another candidate.
-snip-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-0408230191aug23,1,4096547.story?coll=chi-news-hed

[imax2268]

1. Daaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmm!

n/t

[fujiyama]

2. If Kerry wasn't ahead

in this state, I'd be freakin out. Looks like Illinois is solid Dem country. I wish Kerry had leads like Obama though. Now that's a blowout!

[terrya]

3. I think this will hold up...and match Obama's margin, as well.

Maybe this will begin a purge of the more conservative elements in the Illinois GOP. Illinois is trending moderate Democratic and will stay that way for some time.

[59millionmorons]

4. Thank You not so swift boat liars.

This looks to a possible backlash. I knew Kerry was ahead there but i believe the last poll was closer.

[yellowcanine]

5. "Our party is not dead," and "We're not crooks, either, so stop saying

that!" Heh.

[hatrack]

6. "Our party is not dead; intubated, yes, and the monitor flickers a bit . .

And they have to turn us over every 12 hours to prevent bedsores, but we're definitely not dead!!"