Post by Moses on Mar 5, 2006 2:42:25 GMT -5
Actual PA Vote Shows Polls Lie on Pennacchio/ Casey
by Rob Kall
www.opednews.com
In Bucks county, PA (the must-win county for Democrats) the County democratic committee voted on endorsement for the 2006 senate candidate to run against Rick Santorum. Chuck Pennacchio got 177 votes (47%), and Alan Sandals got 4 votes. Casey got 193 (51.6%), but the good old boys had to work hard just to squeak a Casey win-- requiring proxy votes from no shows and making the ballot secret.
Still, the pollsters have been reporting that Pennacchio gets 3% of the vote in their polls. That's clearly bogus. We've been wondering who's been paying for those polls. I say "lie" in my title, because the polls were designed to get low numbers. That's not what I consider scientific. It's deceptive and wrong.
The Way I figure, the committee people who vote in a county endorsement exercise are the most conservative party regulars-- the supporting members of the DNC regulars of the Democratic party.
If all Casey could muster from the strongest potential base was 51.6%, he is not, in any way, a shoe-in. This is a live horse race, especially when you consider that it appears that Alan Sandals spent $200,000+ in TV advertising while Pennacchio didn't spend a nickle. This proves that Pennacchio can win without having more money. He's doing it the Wellstone way-- having built a strong, statewide grassroots base of supporters.
The most impressive thing is that Pennacchio has nearly overtaken someone whose victory is supposed to be a fait accomplis.
Our OpEdNews.com/ Zogby People's Poll of 850 PA likely voters, scientifically administered to a demographically appropriate group, (see polls,) the first progressive website commissioned poll, found that when voters find out about Casey's position, his lead over Santorum tanks. But Pennacchio actually beats Santorum, pulling more voters than any other candidate when people learn more about the candidates. Our poll included ALL the declared candidates and put them head to head, first blind, and then with respondents provided with each candidate's positions on issues. This was the first and only poll that did a weighted polling with all the candidates.
Governor Ed Rendell picked himself a loser in Casey, a loser who could also cost Rendell the gubernatorial re-election campaign. Pennacchio could save Rendell's ass if Rendell is smart enough to cut his losses and dump Casey before it's too late. All he has to do is step back and call for an open election, not an annointment, which is the right thing to do anyway.
That would make some Newsweek predictions wrong, (Markos of Daily Kos) but would also be a major win for real progressives. The folks on dailykos and other progressive blogs have an opportunity to make a real difference here. They could send some money to Pennacchio, to counter the millions Casey has raised with the help of Kerry, Clinton, and more of the DLC republican lites. Pennacchio's website is www.chuck2006.com
What do you think, a true progressive who has now shown his 250+ appearances in venues all over the state have paid off with a grass roots base that is primed to not only win the primary, but to cream Santorum in November?
You want the DNC to have proof that a republican look-alike can win, or that a real progressive can win. A Pennacchio win in PA WILL change the 2008 presidential race. That's not something DLC Hillary backers want to see. A vote for Casey is a vote for more Liebermans, Bidens, Hillaries-- it's no wonder Pennacchio is coming on so strong.
by Rob Kall
www.opednews.com
In Bucks county, PA (the must-win county for Democrats) the County democratic committee voted on endorsement for the 2006 senate candidate to run against Rick Santorum. Chuck Pennacchio got 177 votes (47%), and Alan Sandals got 4 votes. Casey got 193 (51.6%), but the good old boys had to work hard just to squeak a Casey win-- requiring proxy votes from no shows and making the ballot secret.
Still, the pollsters have been reporting that Pennacchio gets 3% of the vote in their polls. That's clearly bogus. We've been wondering who's been paying for those polls. I say "lie" in my title, because the polls were designed to get low numbers. That's not what I consider scientific. It's deceptive and wrong.
The Way I figure, the committee people who vote in a county endorsement exercise are the most conservative party regulars-- the supporting members of the DNC regulars of the Democratic party.
If all Casey could muster from the strongest potential base was 51.6%, he is not, in any way, a shoe-in. This is a live horse race, especially when you consider that it appears that Alan Sandals spent $200,000+ in TV advertising while Pennacchio didn't spend a nickle. This proves that Pennacchio can win without having more money. He's doing it the Wellstone way-- having built a strong, statewide grassroots base of supporters.
The most impressive thing is that Pennacchio has nearly overtaken someone whose victory is supposed to be a fait accomplis.
Our OpEdNews.com/ Zogby People's Poll of 850 PA likely voters, scientifically administered to a demographically appropriate group, (see polls,) the first progressive website commissioned poll, found that when voters find out about Casey's position, his lead over Santorum tanks. But Pennacchio actually beats Santorum, pulling more voters than any other candidate when people learn more about the candidates. Our poll included ALL the declared candidates and put them head to head, first blind, and then with respondents provided with each candidate's positions on issues. This was the first and only poll that did a weighted polling with all the candidates.
Governor Ed Rendell picked himself a loser in Casey, a loser who could also cost Rendell the gubernatorial re-election campaign. Pennacchio could save Rendell's ass if Rendell is smart enough to cut his losses and dump Casey before it's too late. All he has to do is step back and call for an open election, not an annointment, which is the right thing to do anyway.
That would make some Newsweek predictions wrong, (Markos of Daily Kos) but would also be a major win for real progressives. The folks on dailykos and other progressive blogs have an opportunity to make a real difference here. They could send some money to Pennacchio, to counter the millions Casey has raised with the help of Kerry, Clinton, and more of the DLC republican lites. Pennacchio's website is www.chuck2006.com
What do you think, a true progressive who has now shown his 250+ appearances in venues all over the state have paid off with a grass roots base that is primed to not only win the primary, but to cream Santorum in November?
You want the DNC to have proof that a republican look-alike can win, or that a real progressive can win. A Pennacchio win in PA WILL change the 2008 presidential race. That's not something DLC Hillary backers want to see. A vote for Casey is a vote for more Liebermans, Bidens, Hillaries-- it's no wonder Pennacchio is coming on so strong.