VA-Gov: McAuliffe Posts Big Lead in New SUSA Poll, But McDonnell Leads All Comers

[ccharles000]

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/4868/vagov-mcauliffe-posts-big-lead-in-new-susa-poll-but-mcdonnell-leads-all-comers

SurveyUSA (4/25-27, likely voters):

Terry McAuliffe (D): 38
Brian Moran (D): 22
Creigh Deeds (D): 22
Other/Undecided: 18
(MoE: ±4.9%)
This is SUSA's first poll of the Virginia Democratic gubernatorial primary, and also the first one to show ex-DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe with a significant lead. It appears that his fundraising prowess may be reaping some early dividends. While Moran is polling best in his vote-rich home turf (northeast VA) at 47%, he's virtually a non-factor throughout the rest of the state, especially in southeast and central Virginia, where McAuliffe is performing strongly.

In the general election, however, Republican AG Bob McDonnell is leading all three Democrats:


Creigh Deeds (D): 39
Bob McDonnell (R): 44
Terry McAuliffe (D): 39
Bob McDonnell (R): 46

Brian Moran (D): 34
Bob McDonnell (R): 46
(MoE: ±2.7%)

This is not quite as fugly as the 10-to-15 point leads that McDonnell was amassing in a recent Rasmussen poll, but they still indicate that the Democratic nominee will have to hit the ground running as soon as the primary ends. Team Blue may take some small comfort in the fact that Republican Terry Kilgore (himself a former AG) was leading Tim Kaine through almost every public poll until October 2005, but our field this time has an arguably bigger name recognition hole to climb out of this time around.

[Mojambo]

1. Guh. I'd have a difficult time supporting a sleazebag like McAuliffe

Luckily I don't live in VA so I guess I don't have to worry about it.

[ShadowLiberal]

2. How could McDonnell not take a hit after opposing federal unemployment funding?!?

Seriously, I'm shocked by those numbers, his opposition to federal unemployment money for his state should be an issue considering the republicans in the legislature decided to reject it in order to embarrass Kaine. I could have sworn a saw at Daily Kos a few weeks ago had at least one of our guys running about even with him.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

3. Thanks for the update. I can't stand McAwful but any Dem is o.k. at this point. n/t

[tritsofme]

4. I really don't understand McAuliffe's candidacy.

I love Terry McAuliffe, I think he is a great political operative, great at doing behind the scenes work, but seems questionable as an actual candidate.

But then again, the last two Democratic governors of Virginia started out underdogs, but now both seem to be doing quite well for themselves.