Craciun poll results - U.S. House race

[Blue_In_AK]

(Press release from the Benson campaign)

A poll conducted by the Craciun Group in Anchorage shows Diane Benson can handily beat Don Young if the election were held now. In the last race for the U.S. House, Benson was the first challenger to Young to gain a substantial share of the vote, winning 40.1%. The poll also shows Benson and Ethan Berkowitz in a close race for the 2008 Democratic nomination for the U.S. House.

The Craciun Group is a highly respected Alaska polling and survey organization noted for their scientific and unbiased polls. The survey was conducted with professional interviewers over the period from October 27 through November 2, 2007.

Diane Benson vs. Don Young results:

Diane Benson 45.3%
Don Young 36.7%

Horserace results:

Diane Benson 21.1%
Ethan Berkowitz 28.6%
Jake Metcalfe 8.3%

Diane Benson vs. Gabrielle La Doux results:

Diane Benson 45.0%
Gabrielle LaDoux 12.3%

Benson is pleased with the results and thinks they reflected the feedback that she has been getting in her numerous appearances throughout the state.

“The results show that Alaskans are no longer willing to maintain business as usual. They want a change, but not just any change. I am inspired,” said Benson. “The poll shows over 30% of those polled are undecided, which suggests people are looking us over good, as well they should before they pick a candidate.”

Benson was in Washington D.C. when she heard the results of the Craciun poll. She shared highlights of the poll in meetings with the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and with other Congressional members and organizations while in D.C.

The Benson for Congress campaign decided to wait until Benson returned from her travels before announcing the results to the public.

If elected to Congress, Benson would score more firsts for Alaskans, who recently elected their first female governor, Sarah Palin, just a few years after electing their first female U.S. Senator, Lisa Murkowski. Benson would be the first woman from Alaska elected to the U.S. House as well as the first American Native woman. She also would be the first Alaska Native, man or woman, elected to national office.

[Lucky 13]

1. What about experience

The thing that concerns me most about Diane is that she does not have any leadership experience. I think the biggest leadership role she ever had was as International Cultural coordinator for the Arctic games a number of years ago. She has no experience as a public servant in any capacity.

Diane might well be able to beat Don, but is she really a better choice than Ethan? I mean Ethan was a prosecutor and Minority Leader in the State House. Plus, he knows how to raise campaign dollars. Diane's last campaign did pretty poorly fundraising. You know that had to hurt that final push against Don's war chest at the end.

Jake Metcalfe was a prosecutor too and council for IBEW and Chairman(I think that was his title) of the Alaska Democrats and has held public office on city councils and school boards. There's some demonstrable relevant experience there too. Not sure if he has the support or chance that Ethan does either, but it's respectable.

I never understood why Diane, with relatively no relevant leadership experience, wouldn't start out running for State House or Assembly or something. Prove what we know... that she could be a good leader and effective public servant and then run for Congress or even Senate. With that experience under her belt, it would quash those lingering questions and I think she could finally make it over the top. As it stands right now though, to me it is obvious Ethan is vastly more qualified and will be the one to finally take Don down. And that is the most important thing.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Diane has wisdom, common sense and vision.

She is not "politics as usual." I have absolutely no problems with Ethan -- he was my representative, as a matter of fact, and I also have been aware of him for years because I've worked in the legal field here in Anchorage since the mid-'70s. I have no doubts that he would be a fine representative. But neither he nor Jake inspires me in the way that Diane does, gives me hope that things can really change. They don't have her heart.

Coming up through the ranks politically is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does present the danger to the candidate of accumulating political IOUs. Diane is fresh, she's unspoiled, she is one of us. I will continue to support her, and if she loses the primary I will happily support Ethan. Jake not so much, but I don't believe he will come out on top anyway.

I'm not here to argue.

By the way, are you an Alaskan or a Vermonter, and what brings you to DU? Welcome, in any event.

[Lucky 13]

3. credibility...

I'm an Alaskan. Left AK a couple months ago and am here on a temporary basis.

I've been on DU for years... since Bush stole the Election from Gore. Took a sabbatical after the 2004 election. Heart broken and burnt out. Back and getting ready to get out there and help campaign in 08, but had to create a new name since i don't even remember my old one. I was more of a lurker anyway.

Not here to argue either - just like dissecting the crazy Alaska political scene. It's like no other.

There is certainly something to be said for someone unspoiled by politics. Career politicians are sketchy for sure, but politics aren't the only way to serve the public, i.e. prosecutor, school board, department of health and human services, non-profits, etc. And I guess that's what I'd prefer to see. Candidates with an arsenal of experience (not lifers in politics) have credibility and get respect above party lines.

Plus, it's one less weakness for the Rethugs to pound on. And they will.

I guess the inspirational thing just doesn't go very far with me. There are lots of inspirational people that I respect (Michael Moore, Cindy Sheehan, Judy Shepherd, etc.) But that doesn't mean they are the best choice to be my Congressman/woman.

Just my opinion. Best of luck to WHOEVER wins the primary.

[Blue_In_AK]

4. Thanks.

We all have to approach these elections from our own particular viewpoints, and I do understand yours. I guess I'm pretty well sick of the usual politics up here, what with all the VECO scandals and all -- Ted and Don being so unbelievably corrupt, all those years of Frank the Bank, the appointment of Lisa, etc. etc. etc. I'm sure that colors my appreciation of Diane's honesty and integrity. Plus, I've been watching her for several years and have gotten to know her quite well since volunteering with her campaign last year, and she just impresses me. She may not have all this political experience, but I trust her judgment.

But, as I said, I will of course vote Democratic. At least we have much better choices now than we have had in the past. Do you remember the Theresa Obermeyer candidacy?

[Ken Burch]

5. The poll proves Diane can win.

Thus, it totally discredits the "Ethan and Jake had to get in because Diane isn't good enough" meme.

I'll back Ethan if he gets nominated, but this clearly shows that he isn't inherently superior as a candidate.

BTW, Don didn't have much experience when he got in. Eight years in the legislature, mostly in the minority, doesn't really give you that much chance to show leadership.

And Diane is running for Congress because one of her major issues is the shabby, in fact abusively neglectful treatment Alaska veterans get. You can't do anything about that in local politics.

Diane is strongly antiwar, was a Teamster truck driver, and has lived a life as a working person and a single mother having to feed her kid seven days a week. Ethan and Jake were always yuppies who have no real knowledge of a life that wasn't affluent.