Cross-posted from michiganliberal.com
Numbers harvested out of
this story from the AP:
"Active" Republican primary voters
Bouchard
|
27%
|
Zandstra
|
12%
|
Butler
|
11%
|
Don't know
|
50%
|
Source: EPIC/MRA Nov. 20-23, n=400 m/e= +/-5%
After hearing candidate bios
Bouchard
|
35%
|
Zandstra
|
35%
|
Butler
|
23%
|
Don't know
|
7%
|
Source: EPIC/MRA Nov. 20-23, n=400 m/e= +/-5%
"Active" voters
|
|
Stabenow
|
Bouchard
|
36%
|
56%
|
Zandstra
|
33%
|
57%
|
Butler
|
36%
|
56%
|
Source: EPIC/MRA Nov. 20-23, n=600 m/e= +/-4%
Debbie Stabenow +/-
Stabenow positive
|
53%
|
Stabenow negative
|
36%
|
Stabenow undecided
|
11%
|
Source: EPIC/MRA Nov. 20-23, n=600 m/e= +/-4%
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard is way out in front of the other Republican challengers, multi-million dollar Southfield preacher Keith Butler and
the somewhat less costly West Michigan preacher, Jerry Zandstra. Bouchard was in the state Senate for a long time and he's sheriff of the state's second most populous county - so that's certainly helping him in the name recognition department. Butler - who was once the annointed party choice - now seems to be having some problems. In fact, right now might be a good time to send in your contribution to help keep him in the race. I'm not sure how much stock you can put in EPIC-MRA's "brief bio" question; it kind of depends on what was in those bios. However, it does suggest Republicans might be open to Zandstra if he can somehow manage to get his message across.
As for Stabenow, it would be nice to get those favorables higher. But I'm still thinking she'll be okay - Bouchard or not. My money is still on a piss poor year for Republicans across the board in '06.