Bachmann leads DFL opponents in poll
Public Policy Polling (a Democratic affiliated pollster) says GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is leading her DFL opponents in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District. The pollster also said Bachmann's standing is pretty solid at this point. "In what's shaping up to be a Republican year Bachmann's reelection looks pretty likely," pollster Tom Jensen said. Here's the meat of the poll from PPP:
53% of Bachmann's constituents approve of the job she's doing in Congress to 41% who disapprove. Her numbers certainly reflect her polarizing nature, with 86% of Republicans giving her good marks and 83% of Democrats saying they don't like her performance. But in a GOP leaning district and with a 51% approval from independents it all adds up to a pretty solid standing.
Tested against her potential 2010 opponents Bachmann leads Tarryl Clark 55-37 and Maureen Reed 53-37. The magnitude of those leads at this stage certainly has a lot to do with the Democrats' low name recognition, as 82% of voters don't know enough about Reed to have an opinion of her and 68% say the same of Clark. Bachmann's leads over them will probably get smaller as they become better known, but she is still over the 50% threshold considered safe for an incumbent.
UPDATE: Andrea Mokros, a spokesman for DFL state Sen. Tarryl Clark'c campaign, issued this statement on the poll:
"It's early and the campaign has only just begun. In a district with the state's highest unemployment rates and the highest foreclosure rates, people need more than a 'polarizing' figure - almost half of those asked saying she's more interested in being a conservative leader than an advocate for them. Ask this question again when we've had a chance to cut through Congresswoman Bachmann's relentless FOX News spin and introduce ourselves to voters, and remind them of Bachmann's efforts to block jobs, much-needed reform, and take a pass on any and all efforts to deliver real results for the district.
Tarryl has already been elected, not just talking about but proving she can win over Democrats, Republicans and Independents. When people get to know Tarryl - this will be a race."
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