Political Extra Blog Index
October 08, 2008
Pingree/Summers Poll: Undecideds hold the power

One of the few polls on the 1st District Congressional Race between Chellie Pingree, (D), and Charlie Summers, (R), shows Pingree with an advantage, but there is a twist.

A lot of undecideds.

Both Politicker ME and D.C.-based Roll Call reported that Pingree leads Summers 44 percent to 33 percent.

It's only an 11 point gap, but what's interesting is that in the poll, which was commissioned by the Summers campaign, is 22 percent of voters reported being undecided.

Ah, the precious undecided voter.

While undecideds have seemed to hold a lot of power in recent state and national elections, the margin of those who have not made up their mind has been relatively small.

But looking squarely at registered voters in either of the major parties, Maine is different. Unenrolled voters (sometimes called independents if they're fancy), make up a bigger chunk of the electorate than registered Democrats or Republicans.

Does that account for this big number of undecideds in the 1st District race, or are there other factors?

Despite their respective time in the state Legislature, do people know much about Pingree or Summers?

Is the Senate race between Sen. Susan Collins, (R) and Rep. Tom Allen, (D), sucking the air out of the room for other important races?

Or are people just waiting for the last minute to decide?

Or is there something else at work here?

Tell us what you think.

Posted at 09:40 AM

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Dieter Bradbury is the Press Herald's political correspondent. His career at the newspaper started in 1980, and includes 21 years as a reporter and seven as an editor. Bradbury is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine.


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