Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

New polls: Foley takes lead, Blumenthal stays in front

  • by Mark Pazniokas
  • November 1, 2010
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

In Quinnipiac and Rasmussen polls released today, Republican Tom Foley has opened a small lead in the volatile, tight race for governor, while Democrat Richard Blumenthal is up by as much 9 percentage points in the contest for U.S. Senate.

After trailing by 5 points a week ago, Foley leads Democrat Dan Malloy among likely voters in a new Quinnipiac University poll, 48 percent to 45 percent, a spread just within the poll’s margin of error. A new Rasmussen Reports survey has Foley up by 2 points, 48 percent to 46 percent.

“But this race is too close to close. With 6 percent still undecided, there still is room for movement,” said Douglas Schwartz,Quinnipiac’s director.

In the Senate race, Republican Linda McMahon has closed from 12 points down a week ago and now trails by 9 points in the Quinnipiac survey, 53 percent to 44 percent. Ramussen Reports has Blumenthal up by 7, leading 53 percent to 46 percent.

“Independent voters, who have been very volatile in this election season, are shifting back to the Republican candidates in both the Senate and governor’s races,” Schwartz said.

Quinnipiac was in the field for a week conducting its last poll, concluding Sunday, meaning that the poll could be of limited use in picking up late movement by voters in what has been an unsettled year, especially in the race for governor, where 11 percent say they still could change their mind.

But Rasmussen Reports conducted its entire poll of 750 likely voters Sunday, ostensibly giving a fresh snap shot of Connecticut’s two marquee races, which drew presidential visits over the weekend from Barack Obama and Bill Clinton trying to help Malloy, Blumenthal and down-ticket Democrats.

Malloy, who is trying to become the first Democrat to win a gubernatorial election here since 1986, appears to have been damaged most by the relentless negative ads each candidate has directed at the other.

Last week, Malloy aired an ad accusing Foley, a former ambassador, of lying to the FBI about two long-ago arrests during a background check. The Republican Governors Association is airing an ad claiming that Malloy would raise taxes.

“Dan Malloy’s unfavorables have risen to the point where he gets a mixed favorability rating for the first time,” Schwartz said.

He was rated favorably by 44 percent and  unfavorably by 41 percent, compared to a 47 percent-to-34 percent split a week ago. Foley fared better, 48 percent to 34 percent today, compared to 45 percent to 33 percent a week ago.

A poll released Sunday by Public Policy Polling, which had Foley with a 2-point lead, also found that Malloy’s negatives have risen in recent weeks, while Foley’s have been relatively stable.

“The Senate race in Connecticut has drawn most of the national media attention over the
course of 2010, but the contest for governor is where the action is here in the final days of
the campaign,” said Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling.

The Quinnipiac poll showed a stunning shift among unaffiliated voters.

A nine point lead for Malloy a week ago among unaffiliated voters has turned into a 22-point deficit, according to the poll. Independents now favor Foley, 55 percent to 33 percent.

“For Foley to win, he needs to win the independent vote by a substantial margin, which he is now doing for the first time,” Schwartz said.

Malloy dismissed speculation that his expanded negative rating could stem from the ad that questions Foley’s trustworthiness.

“My negatives have nothing to do with that,” Malloy said. “This guy is spending a lot of money to drive up my negatives.”

Foley, who has loaned about $10 million of his own funds to his campaign, has been running several commercials in recent weeks charging Malloy intends to seek billions of dollars in state tax hikes to close the $3.3 billion budget gap — a charge Malloy disputes.

The Democratic nominee, who stopped at the Valley Diner in Derby on Monday morning, said there are too many conflicting polls to get a firm read on how independents plan to vote in the gubernatorial contest. “There are going to be a lot of Democrats voting, a lot of Republicans voting — I don’t know with the unaffiliateds,” he said. “I feel good about where we are.”

Independents also have swung dramatically to McMahon in the Senate race, turning a 16-point deficit into a five-point advantage.

McMahon now has a lead among unaffiliated voters, 49 percent to 44 percent for McMahon. A week ago, they preferred Blumenthal, 56 percent to 40 percent.

“Linda McMahon’s mini surge may be too little, too late,” Schwartz said.

Unlike the race for governor, the favorable/unfavorable ratings of Blumenthal and McMahon have been relatively stable.

By 53 percent to 43 percent, likely voters have a favorable opinion of Blumenthal, compared to a 55 to 39 percent split last week. McMahon gets a negative 43 – 50 percent favorability, virtually unchanged from last week.

“I’m really delighted that we continue to close the gap,” McMahon said as she campaigned today. “Our internal polls show we’re neck and neck. I’ve got my foot on the accelerator.”

The poll is based on a telephone survey of 930 voters conducted from October 25 to 31. It has a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points. The Rasmussen Reports surveys have a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Pazniokas

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
It’s time to standardize arts grants in Connecticut
by Mandi Jackson and Daniel Fitzmaurice

What all arts organizations need most right now is multi-year, unrestricted general operating support with simplified, fair processes for accountability. This would allow the arts community to better respond to the needs of Connecticut residents instead of the political process, lobbyists, or wealthy donors.

Accessory dwelling units are a good thing
by Toni Gold

Connecticut’s large, old houses are a resource that any town should treasure — not just for their charm and historical value, but because of their potential for adaptation. One tool that can help ensure the viability of these structures is zoning, and particularly zoning for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). There’s a movement to  legalize ADUs statewide. It’s a good idea whose time has come.

New Haven and Yale: Giamatti and DiLieto:  A historic moment? Or a model? 
by Neil Thomas Proto

The City of New Haven’s effort today to seek an increase in financial contribution from Yale is more historically justified than is often recognized.

As seniors complain of trouble scheduling COVID vaccines, Connecticut beefs up its appointment phone line
by Jenna Carlesso

Gov. Lamont praised Connecticut's efforts to vaccinate seniors but wasn't as eager to discuss problems with the state's appointment system.

Lamont to extend COVID emergency until April 20
by Mark Pazniokas

Unless a committee of 10 lawmakers votes to reject the declaration, it will take effect within 72 hours of signing.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion It’s time to standardize arts grants in Connecticut
by Mandi Jackson and Daniel Fitzmaurice

What all arts organizations need most right now is multi-year, unrestricted general operating support with simplified, fair processes for accountability. This would allow the arts community to better respond to the needs of Connecticut residents instead of the political process, lobbyists, or wealthy donors.

Opinion Accessory dwelling units are a good thing
by Toni Gold

Connecticut’s large, old houses are a resource that any town should treasure — not just for their charm and historical value, but because of their potential for adaptation. One tool that can help ensure the viability of these structures is zoning, and particularly zoning for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). There’s a movement to  legalize ADUs statewide. It’s a good idea whose time has come.

Opinion New Haven and Yale: Giamatti and DiLieto:  A historic moment? Or a model? 
by Neil Thomas Proto

The City of New Haven’s effort today to seek an increase in financial contribution from Yale is more historically justified than is often recognized.

Opinion A call to save arms: is vaccination really the solution?
by Genevieve Diamant

Economic modelling done by professional statisticians is often used to claim that the ounce of prevention provided by a vaccine is much better than the pound of cure that well-funded hospitals, fully staffed with professional nurses and doctors, using effective pharmaceutical remedies, can provide. But is this actually true?

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO