A new poll by the Startribune shows Patty Wetterling leading ultra-fundy Michele Bachmann by 8 in MN-6.
DFLer Patty Wetterling leads Republican Michele Bachmann 48 to 40 percent in the hot race for Congress in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District, according to the latest Star Tribune Minnesota Poll.
Yes, this went from being a race the DCCC was thinking of totally giving up on. Now, it is officially a big pickup opportunity for us.
According to the article, Bachmann may be getting hit by the Foley situation. Wetterling is a child advocate, whose son was abducted 17 years ago and was never found. She has been running hard hitting ads calling congressional leadership out for their crimes. However, looks like Iraq and Bush's general unpopularity is also weighing Bachmann down. According to the Startribune article...
The poll, conducted Oct. 6-12, may have been influenced by the Mark Foley congressional page scandal, which brought attention to Wetterling because of her work as a child-safety advocate.
Those who said they know a lot about the Foley story, and those who said that it was affecting their vote favored Wetterling by a significant margin.
Negative feelings toward President Bush, opposition to the Iraq war and a belief that the country is on the wrong track all seemed to be hurting Bachmann, even in a district that Bush carried 57 percent to 42 percent in the 2004 election.
Wetterling did best among older voters and those with more education. Bachmann did best among younger voters and those with high school education or less.
As has been blogged elsewhere (see recommended diaries list), Bachmann now has a new controversy that is going to hurt her. An ultra-fundie minister endorsed her during a church service, which is a clear violation of tax law. Bachmann didn't do anything per se wrong personally, but it doesn't look good to be associated with this.
We can win this race. Please support Patty. www.pattywetterling.com