Memphis Commercial Appeal: Harold Ford challenges Mason-Dixon poll

[DeepModem Mom]

Ford challenges poll
New numbers give Corker a solid 50-38 lead
By David Waters
November 5, 2006


A.J. Wolfe/The Commercial Appeal
Former congressman Harold Ford Sr. (left) watches his son, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, at a rally at Poplar Plaza. Earlier in the day, Harold Ford Jr. campaigned in Middle and East Tennessee.

With a new poll showing Republican Bob Corker's lead over Democrat Harold Ford Jr. surging to double digits days before Tuesday's election, both U.S. Senate campaigns scrambled Saturday to keep voters engaged and motivated.

The latest Mason-Dixon Tennessee Poll, conducted by telephone Wednesday through Friday, showed Corker leading Ford 50-38 percent among 625 likely voters. Two weeks ago, the poll -- sponsored by The Commercial Appeal, the Chattanooga Times-Free Press, MSNBC and McClatchy Newspapers -- gave Corker a 45-43 lead.

Ford changed his campaign schedule Saturday to fly from Knoxville back to Memphis to condemn the poll and encourage supporters.
"In all of these polls, the methodology has to be questioned," Ford said Saturday afternoon at a rally at the corner of Poplar and Highland. "All internal polls show this race as a dead heat."

Ford added that the polls don't reflect early votes, which totaled 867,000 statewide. In Shelby County, 142,411 people, nearly a quarter of all registered voters, cast absentee and early ballots....(T)o Ford's campaign, it was another example of a "flawed" public poll that under-represents Democrats, African-Americans and young voters, and fails to account for the deluge in early voting that shows Democratic turnout up as much as 30 percent....

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_5119722,00.html

[Lars39]

1. K&R

[texpatriot2004]

2. Go Ford. Don't let the media manipulate the race nm

[KingFlorez]

3. He's right

That poll seems inaccurate for a race so much money has been dumped into, especially in the past week.

[bluestateguy]

4. It's always the candidate who is behind who bitches about the polls

Just saying.

[David__77]

6. Yeah, it does sound a little weak.

I'd just focus on the whole "Democratic wave" coming that will surprise everyone for its strength.

[Infinite Hope]

5. Well...

The poll is certainly off somewhat, but I'm not surprised that Corker around 50%. The undecideds are falling in line and that's what's causing his surge. Ford is polling lower than reality, I think, but Corker's probably aren't far off. Even when Ford was ahead, my gut feeling was that Corker was going to win.

[Divine Discontent]

8. it's TENN

we're talking about... that dirty "call me" ad was the most disgusting race-baiting thing I've seen since the willie horton (fuckers) ad ran against a good man most remember, Dukakis, who was leading.

There's just so many racists (I mean STRONG racists, not just normal racism that everyone grows up with and learns to push away the inner ignorance) in that state that it will be hard for a black man to win there. However, if anyone CAN, HAROLD IS THE ONE! He's very exciting and smart. I hope he barely pulls it off, if not, there's always next Senate race, right?

[Samantha]

14. I AM from Tennessee and cannot disagree with you

It's a sad, sad, thing to have to admit about such a beautiful state that does in fact have many beautiful people. Look at Tipper Gore, for example -- Dolly Parton, Ashley Judd. But you are correct -- the strong strain of blatant racism still surges among some there.

[Tanuki]

15. Please recall that that the dirty, race baiting ad

to which you refer did not originate in TN, but with the Rethug National Committee. I'm not disagreeing with the main point of your post, however, as it looks as if the ad hit its mark.

[dbackjon]

20. That reaches people like the redneck bitch

That was on a local radio show today, admitting that the ad linking Ford with a WHITE playboy bunny hit home, because if HER daughters ever brought home a black man, there would be hell to pay. She concluded that the races shouldn't mingle.....

[okieinpain]

21. I would rather have him. but to be honest in my opinion, he's just

a level or two above a repug.

[goforit]

22. Yah, agreed, I feel ford is another Lieberman in the making.

[stepnw1f]

7. Keep Fighting!!!! (nt)

[Rose Siding]

9. Survey USA has bush at 59% disapproval last month

How can people be so stupid as to not associate Corker with that?

http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2006/50StateBushApproval061017State.htm

[CraigHinTenn]

10. Rain is forecasted for East TN on Tuesday, which is the republican

stronghold, could help Ford....

[jonnywishbone97]

11. lets hope for severe thunderstorms and wind

that would greatly help the ford effort

[Claire Beth]

19. supposed to rain in middle TN

I heard as well....I wish it would just rain in East TN.

[EFerrari]

12. Good for you, Harold Ford!

:kick:

[Ethelk2044]

13. Ford

He needs to challenge them every chance he gets.

[alcibiades_mystery]

17. Hey KOBUK/Toeg!

How're you doing?

Up to at least three now, I see. Very impressive.

[Lurking Dem]

16. The new Gallup poll

has them within the margin of error - although Corker is ahead.

I think there is little doubt the Mason-Dixon poll was an outlier.

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=5638136

[DeepModem Mom]

18. Thanks, Lurking Dem! nt