Thursday, August 07, 2008

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There are no new developments in the United States Senate race in Massachusetts – incumbent John Kerry is still the clear frontrunner. This month, the former Presidential candidate leads GOP challenger Jeff Beatty 56% to 29%. When “leaners” are included, Kerry leads 59% to 32%.

Last month, Kerry had a 58% to 27%. In the month prior, Kerry had a thirty-eight percentage point lead.
Kerry picks up support from 85% of Democrats and 14% of Republicans in the Bay State. Beatty’s backed by 74% of Republicans and 7% of Democrats. The race among unaffiliated voters is noticeably close, with Kerry leading 40% to 36%. Massachusetts is known as a predominantly blue state, and is classified as “Safe Democratic” in the Rasmussen Reports balance of power calculator in the general election.

The democrat leads 53% to 33% among men in Massachusetts and 58% to 25% among women.
Favorability ratings for both candidates have changed little since June. Kerry is viewed favorably by 59% and unfavorably by 38%. Beatty’s ratings are 30% favorable, 29% unfavorable. The plurality of voters (41%) still have no opinion of the republican challenger.

Rasmussen Markets data shows that Kerry is given a % chance of winning re-election in November. These figures are updated on a 24/7 basis by market participants.

Overall, prospects are very good for Democrats in Senate races this fall. Many Republican Senate seats are potentially in play for Democrats including seats in Alaska, New Hampshire, Oregon, New Mexico, Colorado, Mississippi, Minnesota, Virginia, and Kentucky.

The survey also found that nearly half of voters (49%) regard Kerry as an average Democratic Senator. While 23% say the democrat is a top leader in the party, another 22% believe him to be an embarrassment to his party.

Governor Deval Patrick earns good or excellent ratings from 41% of voters in his state. One in four voters (25%) think the governor is doing a poor job. The plurality (43%) believe Patrick will join Barack Obama’s administration if he is to win the presidential election. Nearly a quarter (23%) disagree.

When asked what their home state is best known for, 29% of voters say it’s the World Champion Boston Red Sox. A separate survey released today found that just 14% of baseball fans think the Sox will win the World Series for the second straight year in October. Twenty-one percent (21%) of voters say the legalization of gay marriage in the state was better known, while 15% say the state is best known for the American Revolution and the Boston Tea Party.

In Massachusetts’ presidential election, Barack Obama leads John McCain by double-digits.
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The survey was conducted in partnership with Fox Television Stations, Inc.

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