Brady pulls ahead

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer is in town today to help Jerry Brady share some great news: A recent internal poll shows the Democratic gubernatorial nominee edging ahead of the GOP's choice, Butch Otter, 42 percent to 40 percent. The poll of 400 registered voters was taken Oct. 13-15 and has a plus-minus 5% margin of error.

Schweitzer - one of the nation's most popular governors and the first Democrat elected to that post since the 1980s - said Idaho and Montana share many parallels. For one thing, he said, "We ain't Texas. We don't pay to fish and hunt," and applauded Brady's strong stand on keeping public lands in public hands.

Montana also is an emerging national leader in developing alternative energy sources ranging from wind to biomass to clean coal-to-gas technology. "I don't believe we ought to send another nickel to those dictators in the Middle East, not when we can produce our own energy, and Jerry agrees," Schweitzer said.

The new poll was taken by the same firm that found Brady down 19% in June and 11% in September. But Otter's recent missteps - including refusing to take part in the Idaho Debates and flip-flopping on key issues including canned hunts and education funding - have given Brady fresh momentum heading into the campaign's final stretch. From the campaign press release:

On big ticket issues of public lands, family values and education, Brady has pulled far ahead of Congressman Otter. When asked “Who will protect our public lands,” Idahoans trust Brady over his opponent at a rate of two to one (Brady 46 percent–Otter 23 percent). On questions of “Who is more family oriented” and “Who will do a better job helping public schools,” Brady’s leads were comfortable at 15 and 16 points respectively.

As you can see, Brady's campaign manager, Matt Hurm, is growing this fine beard - something he's done during every campaign he's ever worked on, he says. With Election Day less than two weeks away, we say go, Jerry, go and grow, Matt, grow.

Comments

[Vincent DeWitt]

Great to see all the good news up and down the state. However, we must get our troops on the street, and the phones ringing every day until November 7th. let's GO Team!!

[Julie in Boise]

Vince is right ... it's imperative that everyone sign up to do something these last two weekends and on election day. At this point, the county coordinated campaigns are where help is most needed, so contact your county Democratic Party and sign up to help. Click my name for the county party directory.

[Kurt Marko]

Brady's insider poll is obviously suspect, but here's a bit of corroborating information that perhaps the governorship isn't a slam dunk for Butch. The latest Rothenberg Report (see http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2006/10/2006-gubernatorial-ratings_27.html) shows the Idaho governor race to be a "narrow advantage" for the incumbent party. This is certainly not normal in the post-Andrus era and a signal to all downhearted and disaffected Democrats in Idaho to get out and vote on the 7th.

[Julie Fanselow]

The Statesman promises a new poll on Sunday that will have "surprising findings in key Idaho election races," according to the paper's Page 1 teaser on Friday. Hmmmm ...