Most Democrats Undecided In Illinois Senate Primary: Hoffman Poll

Most Illinois Democrats have yet to make up their mind whom they intend to vote for in the 2010 U.S. Senate primary, a new poll finds.

The survey of 505 likely Democratic voters, commissioned by David Hoffman's campaign and conducted October 2-4 by pollster Geoffrey Garin, found that the majority of respondents have yet to settle on a candidate with the primary more than three months away.

A full 55 percent said they had yet to get behind a candidate. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, the first candidate to enter the Democratic race, led the field in both name recognition and support, with 26 percent. Twelve percent back former Chicago Urban League president Cheryle Robinson Jackson and 7 percent support Hoffman, the former Chicago Inspector General.

A fourth Democrat, Chicago attorney Jacob Meister, was not included in the poll.

Giannoulias registered a 47 percent name recognition among respondents, compared with 25 percent who recognized Jackson and 16 percent who knew of Hoffman.

When respondents were read descriptions (see below) of the three candidates and asked again who they would support, Hoffman surged into the lead, registering 36 percent support versus Giannoulias' 27 percent and Jackson's 11 percent. The remaining 26 percent remained undecided.

Garin's memo summarizing the poll results did not include its margin of error.

Read the full memo:

Hoffman Poll Results Memo -

Comments

[MovingtoNorway]

And these people are qualified because.....?

[mamala4]

They are not Mark Kirk.

[VOTER]

: )

Thanks for the AM cheer!

NO, MARK "BUSH" KIRK!

[BrianShields25]

what a bogus poll, the description of Hoffman is fleshed out but those for Jackson, Giannoulias, etc are pretty thin. This might help Hoffman raise some funds in the short term but it doesn't give an accurate representation of how he'll fare in the Primary or in the General Election because this only shows how he'd fare against cardboard cut-out versions of his opponents.

I am concerned about Giannoulias' chances against Kirk in the general election, but by the time that rolls around there's going to be so much money and media thrown into this race its going to be a circus. Kirk will have a tough time defending his record of supporting the Bush administration's every whim against the left, and defending his cap-and-trade vote to the right.

and he's going to need to explain to everyone why he told our biggest creditor not to believe our budget numbers. Domestic politics aside, that was a monumentally stupid thing for anyone to do, and with Kirk's admirable educational background he should know better.

[bettygg]

It's a valid point that the candidate profiles are constructed for the survey - at least it appears to be the case, not much info is given. But it makes sense that Hoffman needs to construct and validate a winning scenario he can use, otherwise candidates should just pack it in and go home.

[thetruthmustbetold]

Obama Gets Another Award!

BREAKING NEWS:

This was just reported !

Obama wins the Heisman Trophy
after watching a college football game !

[mamala4]

Good for him...what award did Georgie boy win other than w.ors.t pres ever?

[ckdogs]

I am hoping that Hoffman spends some money, gets on talk shows, etc. to get his message out. The odds of Gianoulias beating Kirk are minimal. Hoffman is a reformer, and might have a shot. Can't understand why the IL. Dems are allowing such a weak field. They're going to lose a solid seat. Where is everyone's head?

[CherrySpring]

When Giannoulias gives some good answers about the bright start college fund that many families were counting on this fall only to be left empty handed, then I'll consider him.

[Chicagowoman32]

Couldn't agree more.

[mono]

I am voting for Roland Burris. Nah, I take that back :-)

[crookedcountyillinois]

Giannoulias? Isn't this the guy who hid behind two female co-workers when William Kelly confronted him on video?

[Chicagofan1]

All of them are as bad as could be.

[dugmaze]

I'm voting for the Democrat who gets attacked the most.

[Erbe]

And this poll proves what? That if you leave a variable, Jacob Meister, out of the poll than 55% of people are undecided. So how many of the 55% who are undecided support Jacob Meister? If this poll were a middle school science fair project the student would fail for manipulating results. I hope he gets better advice in the future because he just looks bad for manipulating reality.

[bettygg]

I don't know Jacob Meister. Is he considered a serious candidate? Polls often will omit someone not considered a serious contender.

[Erbe]

Yeah. He's a independent and progressive Democrat. Thom Hartmann quotes Ghandi on this type of situation, "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."

The MSM does mention him.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/The-Million-Dollar-Mystery-Candidate-63593032.html

But I think he's the real deal. It seems like he spent his life doing the right thing, not because he was running for office like Hoffman and Giannoulias. In the last hour, Hoffman did the parking meters and Giannoulias did the labor unions and debt collectors. But really, where were Hoffman and Giannoulias 3 years ago? If I recall Hoffman was chasing union workers and Giannoulias was giving my kids' college money to his friends via Bright Star. Really. Enough.

http://www.meisterforsenate.com/