Landmark poll: Nathan Deal and Karen Handel in dead heat
The local Republican-oriented strategy firm of Landmark Communications, which last week gave Karen Handel a 46 to 37 percent lead over Nathan Deal in the Republican runoff for governor, is out this afternoon with a follow-up poll – that says Deal has closed the gap.
Says Landmark:
Deal leads 44-42% over Handel with 14% saying they will vote but are still undecided. Based on a previous Landmark poll conducted August 1st, Deal has moved up eleven percentage points over the past week, from nine back to two ahead….
“Nathan Deal has moved from behind to a statistical tie,” said Landmark President Mark Rountree. “Over the past week, Deal effectively won many undecided and less committed voters, making this a dead heat. We don’t make a prediction on the outcome of this.”
A poll released over the weekend by the AJC and the Georgia Newspaper Partnership showed Handel and Deal in a tight race, but with Handel leading Deal 47 percent to 42 percent. The GNP survey indicated a significant gender gap – with women supporting Handel in larger numbers.
But Roundtree says Landmark polling is picking up no such gender preference in the race. The automated survey sampled 623 voters on Aug. 7 — before the visits to Georgia by ‘08 GOP presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin for Deal and Handel, respectively.
MOE is +/- 3.9 percentage points.
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140 comments Add your comment
kkong
August 10th, 2010
6:15 am
They all SUCK!
jsh
August 10th, 2010
6:20 am
The x half term governor of Alaska blew it for Karen Handel in my opinion by resorting to ad homs etc. Both are poorly educated, that’s incredible these days. Then we have Deal, what can I say……I guess the GOP is giving the election to Barnes!
Jayne M. Barker
August 10th, 2010
7:04 am
PEACE! Ladies first…
J. Davis
August 10th, 2010
7:31 am
Why have 2 liberals on the ballot in November? DEAL FOR GOVERNOR.
T Knight
August 10th, 2010
7:40 am
Right now….. the best man for the job is a woman.
Vote Karen Handel!!!!
GA-9th Alternative
August 10th, 2010
7:44 am
@whoDean ~ The state of Georgia, comprised of all the “Good ole’ boys and girls” from Dalton to Valdosta, have been picking up the tab and subsidizing the excesses of Atlanta and Fulton County for years. Atlanta politicians and the Fulton County government flexed their political muscle and continue to threaten the Governor’s office and state politicians with a boycot by voters in the densely populated metropolis in order to force the state to pay your EPA fines. I can imagine why you want an “Atlanta” area Governor! Who would want to elect an outsider when a local will ensure the rest of the state’s taxpayers keep your taxes low.
@bumpkin ~ Have you travelled outside of your buckhead salon lately? Ken and Barbie do not constitute the majority of Georgia’s population or the rest of the nation. There used to be a place for people who only supported a master race of beautiful people, but Nazi Germany has been relegated to a blemish in history. If you do not like Deal, make your vote be heard at the poll this morning. If you wish to blast people because of their relationship to a candidate or the way they dress, move to Hollywood. You will be in good company. The Georgia I was raised in was hospitable to their neighbors, rather you liked them or not. The Georgia I fought for did not care if you shopped at Gucci or Dollar General.
phil
August 10th, 2010
7:51 am
Educators- You are going to get furloughed, layed off, and degraded regardless of whose elected governor: Barnes, Handell, or Deal. They have no respect for educators. Accept it teachers!!!!!
Anti-Ignorant People
August 10th, 2010
7:52 am
I swear this is the funniest thing ever to read a few of the comments. You “Republicans” think you know it all and have it all. When in actuality you are the worst and the most ignorant. Oh, and I forgot VERY simple-minded.
Now, if Barnes is elected then everything from that point on is a result of Barnes before and present. Perdue (or however it is spelled) did NOTHING wrong, because its going to be Obama’s and Barnes’s fault everything is still going wrong. You people need a life and sense.
earl
August 10th, 2010
7:57 am
Enter your comments here
T. Knight
August 10th, 2010
7:58 am
There is a reason the out of the closet liberals in Georgia are against Deal and supporting Handel! They don’t want to see a conservative as the next Governor of Georgia. With her pro-abortion stand what else will she support? Do you want your tax dollars paying for abortions. Do you want to brag in church you supported a candidate who supports what you profess to be against each Sunday? If you are ready to confess your true liberal beliefs mark you ballot for Handel…If you don’t believe in that make it DEAL!
The Beacon
August 10th, 2010
7:59 am
Karen Handel’s hometown newspaper ENDORSES NATHAN DEAL!
To know Karen is to vote against her. Check it out:
http://www.beaconcastmedia.com/opinion/Deal-is-Real–And-the-Best-Choice-for-North-Fulton-Voters-2440
You Asked
August 10th, 2010
8:09 am
@ Ron 9:55pm
What the heck!? Crawl back into your hole and spare us the bigotry.
Leave some space for the Deal and Handel staffers here trying to get their talking points out. (And a few Barnes staffers warming up for the general election).
do the math
August 10th, 2010
8:12 am
i see a Plin win here.
Huckabee who has a WEEKLY tv show was only able to get 800 people to Deal’s rally.
Sarah Palin got 3,000 to Handel’s rally with more people wanting to get in.
say what you will but it is this kind of enthusiam that is the reality of the entire situation.
you can encourage people to come out for you and the effect of that motivation is evident on the ones who you ACTUALLY get to come out for you.
the Palin Factor
August 10th, 2010
8:17 am
to “The Beacon” @7:59a.m.
do u really think supporters of handel are suddenly going to change their minds because a newspaper endorses her opponent?
especially a last minute endorsement.
dismantling obama
August 10th, 2010
8:19 am
gotta tell ya – i am truly excited about this day in GA.
all polls averaging out show no matter who wins republ elect. they are both outpolling Barnes.
i like barnes by the way but he is a piece of the obama obstruction that must be dismantled.
The Penguin
August 10th, 2010
8:26 am
Women voting for Handel b.c she’s a woman. But republicans claim a certain race only voted for Obama due to his skin tone. Roy will wipe the floor with either of these mediocre candidates. Did Handel or Deal every say anything about the issues affecting this state? Or was their campaign run on wedge issues that no one really cares about until election time? Republicans had 8 years to settle all the issue their spouting off now. What happened? Nothing.
Steve
August 10th, 2010
8:30 am
Handel and Deal are both pure politicians they say they will do away with the State Income Tax that is over 50% (8 Billion Dollars)of the entire budget where do you think they could make up that money. Handel say she will lay off 8000 State employees that will save $400 million now where does that other 7.6 Billion with a B come from. Come on people pay attention don’t let these politicians continue to lie and get away with it. Neither one of them has an orginal thought it is scary to think one of them could be the next governor.
the way i see it
August 10th, 2010
8:36 am
there is nothing whatsoever to support women are voting for handel because she is a woman other than they think she is the better qualified. palin has endorsed both men and women and she has backed men over women in some cases.
lets talk issues instead. clearly and well documented Deal is behaving like Rangel. he knows he has these ethical questions looming over him and instead of giving the republican party of which he is a chance at this he goes ego-first. just what do you think is going to happen in the general when barnes brings up deal’s unethical issues?
lmno
August 10th, 2010
8:38 am
Nothing short of a complete Barnes meltdown could stop him now. All he has to do is say, “Take a look around”. 8 Years of Republican Governorship. Republican State Legislature and take a good look at what it brought you.
Georgia is pretty much always a few years behind the rest of the nation. The rest of the nation got tired of the deregulation that brought down the economy. The greed and pandering to the religious right. Georgia will come around to that about the time that the rest of the nation is moving back towards it. Think of the nation as a pendulum swinging left and then back right. Now picture Georgia as kite tied behind it.
This is with politics as well as any other issue. Georgia is never the leader.
The Alpha Male
August 10th, 2010
8:41 am
What’s well-documented is that Nathan Deal has been a man of integrity for 19 years in the Congress….. what’s well-documented is that the ethics investigations, which have been going on for several months now, have found nothing worthy of censure or condemnation….. and finally, what’s well-documented is that Karen Handel is going to get beaten soundly by a better man and better candidate.
None are so blind as those who refuse to see.
the way i see it
August 10th, 2010
8:43 am
putting obama back in office via electing these democrat governors who support him is like watching the final 20seconds on an explosive. you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that with obama in there it is just a matter of time before this thing blows.
either vote these democrats out or find a place for cover. its that simple.
for the first time we have our 5-year-olds being taught sex education.
for the first time we have a sitting president who takes the sides of people wo have never paid a dime in taxes over the wishes of the bona-fide americans in Arizona.
for the first time in our history we are being made to buy a product or face jail time.
for the first time in our history we have dismantled our NASA program.
for the first time in our history we have drastically reduced our defenses in almost every area that could protect us.
right now as we are obama is seeking from congress the right to go through anyone’s email WITHOUT the approval of any judge – - have you any earthly idea what that means????? CAMP OUT ON THAT FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS.
(i have at least 84 others but u get the reminders)
Fed up with nastiness
August 10th, 2010
8:46 am
Deal did NOT say he would NOT endorse Handel….he said he could not commit to it. BIG difference! At least he is honest. Handel has been spouting lies like she invented them. Wait….she did!
a matter of logic
August 10th, 2010
8:49 am
Barnes will not, cannot win. that’s a given. we are near nov.and all polls show him trailing already.
we were bamboozled by obama and by now most self-respecting people are willing to admit the screwed up. forget labels. if you are democrat republican or ratilian or mice-ilian, the bottom line is we have a man in the oval office who is anti american and that’s bad news for ALL of us.
ps: if you care to beleive your own press and ignore that Deal is facing ethics problems, just go right ahead; i really cant help you when you see invisible rabbits.
9/12 Member
August 10th, 2010
8:53 am
To GA-9th Alternative….you better check your facts. We have a 1500 sq.ft. condo in Atlanta and pay more taxes on it than we pay on our house on the coast that is 3 times larger. You are crazy if you think the rest of the Sate is keeping Atlanta taxes low. Take the taxes Atlanta pays out of the State budget and see what is left. Businesses locating in Georgia and paying taxes is what can keep our property taxes low.
If you people think that we will get something different by voting for the same people who have run this Country in the ground, you deserve what you get. Deal has been part of the problem in DC for 18 years, and nobody can point to what he has really accomplished. NO INCUMBANTS, please. All these social issues are killing the Republican Party and should have no part in politics. Those should be between you, your family, and God. A GOVERNMENT THAT CAN GIVE YOU ANYTHING CAN TAKE EVERYTHING and that should determine who we elect this year. We are fighting for the right to live as free people. GRTL and all these groups just want to make sure they continue to have their jobs, and principals be damned.
all eyes on GA today
August 10th, 2010
8:54 am
oh, come on you guys.
handel’s got this thing and you know it.
given that deal is the opponent there was nothing wrong with him saying he would not commit to supporting her right now. it’s a little lame but there is no shame in it, afterall he is still fighting to get there. fact is however this is not handle’s.
i’ll bet my lucky stars that Palin-boost just propelled her to at least an 11point lead.
all eyes on GA today
August 10th, 2010
8:54 am
fact is however this is NOW handle’s.
Dawgfan
August 10th, 2010
8:56 am
@GA-9th Alternative…well said.
Conservative Relic
August 10th, 2010
8:57 am
You young wannabees are long on mouth, short on ears and wouldn’t know a conservative if they bit you in the ass. Our true conservative trailblazers are rolling over in their graves. Is this the best we can debate when the future of my grandchildren are at stake? What you wear? Who flies in to endorse you? Give me salt of the earth servants who live up to their commitments, pay their bills, and believe expenditures have to be less than revenues. Give me people who make decisions based upon principle rather than polls. Give me people who have read the Constitution and believe in its divine and inspired wisdom. In the case of our next Governor, give me Nathan Deal.
logically, then...
August 10th, 2010
8:59 am
“A GOVERNMENT THAT CAN GIVE YOU ANYTHING CAN TAKE EVERYTHING and that should determine who we elect this year”
-=-=-=-==
THEN CLEARLY that leaves this brand of democrats of obama & co out!!!!
face truth and deal with it
August 10th, 2010
9:02 am
if you want nathan deal, you just cancelled out all thos other things you want?
Deal spent many years supposedly representing “us” but the ones he helped were his company, friends, etc. it’s Handel’s turn. let’s see what she does.
Dawgfan
August 10th, 2010
9:04 am
@Deal is a goofy bumpkin, illiterate huh? How many in your family have a college degree? I guarantee the Deal family has more college graduates. And last I checked, you don’t talk about something ON the picnic (not picknic) table, you talk about it AT the picnic table. While were at it, it’s Jay LENO and the word is SAVVY, not savy. Why don’t you come down from your ivory tower and see what REAL people are all about. But, I suppose it is easier for you to make fun of others than to look at yourself in the mirror and realize your shortcomings and inadequacies.
T Knight
August 10th, 2010
9:04 am
VOTE KAREN HANDEL TODAY!
VOTE KAREN HANDEL TODAY!
VOTE KAREN HANDEL TODAY!
For karen
August 10th, 2010
9:05 am
@ Fed up
“Deal did not say” – Yes, there is a BIG difference. Deal is a lawyer and politician.
You know they are lying when there mouth is moving.
As was said before – loosing politicians know they have to suck it up and at least give the appearance of supporting the winner. By whining about it not only once, but twice on a major televised debate, he has shown his true colors.
He will probably go fishing with the kids, which is OK by me, because its better than reverting to his roots and supporting Barnes.
Dawgfan
August 10th, 2010
9:08 am
@Deal is a goofy bumpkin, illiterate huh? How many in your family have a college degree? I guarantee the Deal family has more college graduates. And last I checked, you don’t talk about something ON the picnic (not picknic) table, you talk about it AT the picnic table. While we’re at it, it’s Jay LENO and the word is SAVVY, not savy. Why don’t you come down from your ivory tower and see what REAL people are all about. But, I suppose it is easier for you to make fun of others than to look at yourself in the mirror and realize your shortcomings and inadequacies.
9/12 Member
August 10th, 2010
9:11 am
To IMNO…..you are right that Georgia will never be a leader….as long as the Good Ole Boys are in charge and continue down the same path, WE THE PEOPLE just get more of the same.
I have just about lost all hope for our Country….Atlas is beginning to shrug.
And by the way, has Deal ever worked for a law that would force Congress to live under the laws they impose on us? Wouldn’t we all love to have THEIR benefits.
MtnDesertPaMan
August 10th, 2010
9:16 am
Hey Mr.Deal is a bumpkin: as a former GA resident with ” no dawg in this fight”, you’d be fortunate to have Nathan & his family represent you, I know Nathan from Rotary in Gainesville and living in Clermont and he’s a good man, purchased my first horses from him , no problems. Sounds like you want some slickster community organizer that loks good with no experience to run your state. You already have one of those running the U.S !
Dawgfan
August 10th, 2010
9:21 am
@MtnDesertPaMan…glad to see another person who knows what they are talking about.
Dawgfan
August 10th, 2010
9:28 am
@Aquagirl…what does it say to you when most of the people who have worked with Handel are endorsing Deal (Bill Bynre, her former Cobb County Chairman; Maurice Atkinson, former Bibb County Chairman…just two examples)? Her own hometown paper has now come out endorsing him over her. That says a lot about her if those who were for her for the longest time have now jumped ship.
GaBlue
August 10th, 2010
9:29 am
Nathan Deal thinks you’re stupid.
Kids: “Grandpa, why do you want to be Governor?”
ND: “Because the people in Washington D.C. are spending too much money, and I want to fight back!”
BZZZZZT! Wrong. Raise your hand if you think that’s the Governor’s job — as opposed to being a Congressman actually IN D.C. — or if you think that’s anyone’s actual motivation for seeking the office of Governor.
LYING to his own progeny to make you believe his lies. Disgraceful!
GA, the dumb state
August 10th, 2010
9:32 am
Did I hear that Karen Handel didn’t graduate high school? That would help explain why airhead, clusterhead Sarah Palin would stump for her–bimbos stick together. But in this state of GA, where the education success is so LOW, Handel will likely win. It all fits. And God knows the white woman vote will go to Handel. White men, where are ya’? You’re losing your power fast!
Citizen1
August 10th, 2010
9:32 am
I got a RoBo call from the Handle group last night but my caller ID said the call was coming from REDTOP MOUNTAIN LODGE!!! Wonder who is help Handle?
CHIEF OF SMOKE
August 10th, 2010
9:40 am
Deal is the conservative choice. It is that simple.
and he can beat Roy Barnes
Aquagirl
August 10th, 2010
9:46 am
@ Dawgfan, it says those people think they’ll be better off if Nathan Deal is elected. Whether anyone else is better off is a different matter.
Often what’s good for elected officials is not good for the rest of us.
Billy Joe Poteet
August 10th, 2010
9:51 am
@phil 7:51 am
“Educators- You are going to get furloughed, layed off, and degraded regardless of whose elected governor”
I agree with this statement for one reason: the budgetary crisis facing Georgia will require drastic actions be taken, and education will be on the table – as well as every other governmental service. The federal income tax will rise dramatically in the very near future and the unfunded mandates imposed on states by the federal government will also increase. This all adds up to much higher federal taxes for the taxpayer. Georgia, by law, can not spend what it doesn’t have. The bottom line is that the problems facing the states were and are created by an out-of-control congress and administration. I would venture a guess that the majority of teachers in this country voted for Obama and assisted in the election of the current democrat controlled congress. “Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it”.
Liberty1
August 10th, 2010
9:52 am
Why is there so much bias towards Karen Handel because she does not have a college degree. She has a lot of experience in county and state government. She worked at the national level with the Vice President in the early 90s.
Most of the people running our government, Federal and State have college degrees and look at how poorly they are run. We have massive debt and no common sense to get the house in order.
It is the over educated liberals and RINOs that are ruining out country. There are a lot of successful business people who do not have a college degree.
You may have a lot of book smart from a college education and not have one ounce of common sense.
Vote Handel
face truth and deal with it
August 10th, 2010
10:06 am
if education by the paper u hold in your hand trumps all why is it that so many with this degree fail where those with more experience succeed? especially within families even. grads with masters screw up where their parents without that degree are successful? there is much to be said for actual hands-on experience.
strive for a degree, but remember some without degrees are miles smarter than some with degrees.
and remember too, many of the great firms in this country who hired the ph.d’s etc. were companies started by men AND women without a degree – some didnt even finish high school, ON PAPER i.e., but as far as smarts went they held 25 degrees to every one their employee had.
the way i see it
August 10th, 2010
10:11 am
glenn beck didnt make it through the first year of college.
glenn beck without a doubt is one of the brightest minds out there.
yes, some of you would like to put him down but GLENN BECK IS BRILLIANT.
i do not knock going for an education but i also recognize i can be sold a bag of goods if i totally rely on what someone tells me they CAN do. show me what you are capable of. handel has shown she deserves to be where she is and she is an inspiration to people who were not able to officially finish college.
the way i see it
August 10th, 2010
10:13 am
Dawgfan, what does it say to you if the polls are endorsing handel?
logically speaking
August 10th, 2010
10:19 am
according to the narrative obma is suppose to be smart but where is the proof of it?
where did he learn that the way to get out of debt is to spend continue running up debt without any revenue coming in?
where did he come up with lowering the Military’s ability to respond to a crisis in these crazy times is best for the U.S. of America?
how smart is it to bring a lawsuite against a law where 71% of that State’s voters agree WITH the law, and the country on the whole support said law? will this endear you to voters to re-elect you?
Wreck
August 10th, 2010
10:24 am
I am voting Handel. Deal has too much baggage from a career in DC. Only Handel has any executive experience. Anyone that works in the private sector understands that experience trumps education every time. I don’t expect government workers or academics to understand that.