CNN/ORC poll: Barack Obama tied with GOP nominee in Ga.
Updated at 4:30 p.m.: Yet another poll of the presidential primary in Georgia, again showing Newt Gingrich in the upper-40 percentile, has just been dropped by CNN/ORC International.
The poll also shows, like two others today, Santorum dangerously under 20 percent — the amount needed Tuesday for a share of 34 at-large Georgia delegates. The CNN top lines:
– Gingrich, 47 percent;
– Mitt Romney, 24 percent;
– Santorum, 15 percent;
– and Ron Paul, 9 percent.
More interesting is the portion of the CNN poll that looks at a general election contest with President Barack Obama. Asked whether they would vote for the Republican nominee or the incumbent Democrat in November, 1,775 registered Georgia voters were split, 48 to 48 percent.
Updated at 12:15 p.m.: In the wee hours this morning, following on the heels of a weekend AJC poll, Public Policy Polling of North Carolina came out with yet another survey that shows GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich creeping toward the 50 percent mark in Georgia.
The PPP bottom line:
– Gingrich, 47 percent;
– Mitt Romney, 24 percent;
– Rick Santorum, 19 percent;
– Ron Paul, 8 percent.
Just before noon, Landmark/Rosetta Stone in Gwinnett County released a third poll, conducted Sunday (901 likely voters) and showing similar numbers: Gingrich, 44 percent; Romney, 23 percent; Santorum, 17 percent; and Paul, 7 percent.
The 50 percent mark is a significant one. As far as 34 statewide delegates go, distribution would still be proportional. But even if Gingrich finishes in the mid-40 percentile on Tuesday, that means he’d probably clear 50 percent in some congressional districts. And that’s where the winner-takes-all rule, with 42 delegates at stake, does apply.
The most salient PPP statistics:
[Sixty-six percent] of Republicans in the state have a favorable opinion of [Gingrich] to only 27% with a negative one. And although he now lives in Virginia, he’s still embraced as a native son. 71% of voters consider him to be a Georgian to only 22% who do not.
A Landmark/Rosetta poll from last week had Gingrich at 42 percent. Their analysis:
Gingrich leads in both the Metro Atlanta region as well as non-Metro Atlanta area. He retains particular commanding support among those voters who are age 65 and older, a demographic group in which he carries a majority of the vote. These voters remember Gingrich as a leader who led Republicans to a new House majority in the 1994 elections, the first such majority in four decades.
An AJC poll published on Saturday — in the field Wednesday, Thursday and Friday — gave Gingrich a lead of 38 percent. See the internals here.
***
Among those who consider Newt Gingrich to be a “fellow Georgian” is Gov. Nathan Deal, who today has an op-ed in the Marietta Daily Journal with his endorsement of the former 6th District congressman:
As Georgia conservatives, we owe Newt Gingrich — who in 1994 led the Republican Party to victory for the first time in 40 years — a debt of gratitude. Without this man giving voice to the practical conservatism the majority of Georgians now hold dear, the Republican Party in our state would not be where it is today.
***
Remember how Rick Santorum called President Barack Obama a “snob” for encouraging kids to get a college education? His wife was among those who persuaded him to backtrack. From Politico.com:
“He knows you always separate what you say from the person,” said Karen Santorum in an interview Saturday…, her first of the presidential campaign with a print media outlet. “He should have said what (Obama) said is ‘snobbish.’ It was a ‘snobbish comment,’ not he is ‘snobbish.’ There is a big difference. And he knows that. But everybody makes those mistakes along the journey.”
Karen Santorum also said this about the current first lady in the White House:
“[Michelle Obama] has done a lot for our country, and I admire her because she also has a very rigorous schedule. She is juggling being a mother and being first lady,” Karen Santorum said before lowering her voice to a girly whisper, “and you know, she’s got great arms.”
***
While much of the political world last week was in an uproar over health insurance coverage for contraception, former GOP candidate for governor was writing a coda for the previous uproar – over Planned Parenthood and abortion.
In an interview on the Christian Broadcasting Network, Handel reprised the events that led to her resignation as vice president of governmental affairs for Susan G. Komen for the Cure – after a Komen effort to cut off funds to Planned Parenthood exploded:
Handel again accused Planned Parenthood of violating a “gentle lady’s agreement” to accept the decision quietly. Handel also said she was appalled by a media slant when it came to the topic of abortion.
“There is clearly a real bias around this, that somehow, the right to an abortion equals women’s rights. And I reject that,” she said. Here’s the clip:
***
The AJC’s Politifact Georgia today takes a look at the claim by Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash that , when it comes to unemployment, her county is doing better than much of metro Atlanta.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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171 comments Add your comment
WOW
March 5th, 2012
11:10 am
@ Becky:
That will be an interesting number to watch. It makes me wish that so many Dems were going to participate in crossing over into the primary. I myself couldn’t stomach casting a ballot for any of them so I won’t participate. I’ve been intrigued by the low turnout in other states during the primary. It was interesting how Romney got fewer votes in Michigan and Nevada this time than he did in 2008.
honested
March 5th, 2012
11:14 am
WOW,
It can make a difference and the nausea only lasts a little while!
td
March 5th, 2012
11:14 am
A President that will raise $1 billion to get re elected has told the Congressional Dems you are on your own. Now you libs tell me again how many states the President will carry and how many votes he is expecting to receive. You are all living in a dream world because the evidence shows different. Obama only cares about him self and nothing else but his own re election.
“President Barack Obama has a bleak message for House and Senate Democrats this year when it comes to campaign cash: You’re on your own.
Democratic congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, have privately sought as much as $30 million combined from Obama for America and the Democratic National Committee — a replay of the financial help they received from Obama in 2008 and 2010.”
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/73600.html
Becky
March 5th, 2012
11:15 am
WOW-please reconsider and vote! My mother always told me if you don’t vote, you can’t complain!
Pathetic
March 5th, 2012
11:19 am
Those who vote for Newt or Santorium must be in favor of another 4 years of Obama! Mitt Romney is our only hope people.
Georgians believe that there are two conversations that are taboo: politics and religion. Therefore, they have no idea what is going on and 50% obviously don’t follow the news!
So dumb that they will vote for a “native son” who is NOT a native son.
Tom
March 5th, 2012
11:21 am
Then again, there will always be a segment of those who do vote Democrat who still can’t complain, because they’re….you know….dead and stuff.
SMH
March 5th, 2012
11:21 am
God, this state is filled with morons…
Aquagirl
March 5th, 2012
11:22 am
Becky, keep in mind Sunday Sales is on many local ballots.
That’s the reason I’ll be at my precinct tomorrow. I’ll probably vote for Ron Paul (who is crazy, but not a complete a-hole) since I’m there, but wouldn’t show up for that alone.
Nothing says Democracy like giving a big FU to the religious nuts. Maybe if we vote in Sunday sales they’ll scream and retreat to their rapture hideaways.
Jerry30318
March 5th, 2012
11:25 am
As a life long republican, I have to say that this guy is a loser! He can’t win the national election. He has serious ethical issues both personally and privately. If the goal is to get Obama out of the white house, Republicans can’t nominate this recycled train wreck of a politician. Wake up!
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
11:26 am
td posted “Now you libs tell me again how many states the President will carry and how many votes he is expecting to receive.”
I’m no lib, but a realist. The battle ground states are as follows. President Obama won North Carolina (0.32%), Indiana (1.04%), Nebraska’s 2nd congressional district (1.19%) Florida (2.82%), Ohio (4.59%), Virginia (6.29%), and Colorado (8.95%). Flipping ALL these electoral votes would give an electoral victory to the Republican nominee.
Greater longshots: New Hampshire (9.61%), Pennsylvania (10.31%), Nevada (12.49%), and Wisconsin (13.90%). Republicans would have to keep all of their wins including Missouri which was barely Republican.
Not likely against an incumbent with a money advantage, media and Hollywood on his side, half the electorate no longer paying taxes, government and union workers been rewarded, and selected big businesses rewarded.
The Senate and House are different, though.
Coach Chrissie
March 5th, 2012
11:31 am
Is Will working for Newt? I am getting a lot of emails from Democrat friends saying we should vote for “Newt now and Obama in November”; wouldn’t that be just like Newt to come up with a sneaky form of Limbaugh’s “Operation Chaos”; chaos for Georgia, votes for him! Democrats who love this state should not vote for Newt but rather Ron Paul whose ideas are at least honestly held and closer to those of the Democrat Party than Newt’s. Newt’s ideas are just what he’s thinking today that might help him his current agenda. Why not let SC be the only state dumb enough to vote for Newt?
SMH
March 5th, 2012
11:32 am
And Mitt Romney is a moron too – pathetic. Your just as dumb as the rest of this state. You want this country to keep going in the same direction, vote for any one of those GOP candidates. The only real change this country will ever get is if Ron Paul gets elected. He may not be the brightest candidate, but at least he will be there looking out for the american people, not just the 1% or their own pockets.
Becky
March 5th, 2012
11:33 am
Aquagirl-come sit next to me! We think alike.
DannyX
March 5th, 2012
11:35 am
“Not likely against an incumbent with a money advantage, media and Hollywood on his side, half the electorate no longer paying taxes, government and union workers been rewarded, and selected big businesses rewarded.”
That sure doesn’t sound like something a “Centrist” would say. Realist? That paragraph sounds like the work of a Republican campaign worker. You hit all the conservative yakking points.
WOW
March 5th, 2012
11:36 am
@ Centrist
The President may loose Indiana, NC, and Virginia, but should cary FLA, OH, and CO. Less states than 08, but still a comfortable re-election margin.
With Senator Snowe’s retirement retaking the Senate is now a real long shot for the Republicans as they would have to sweep every close election and they just don’t have the money to do it. Plus the Dems will pick up in Mass and Maine.
IMO
td
March 5th, 2012
11:37 am
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
11:26 am
Did you read the entire Politico article? From what I have read Obama will have $1 billion and even if it is Romney the nominee then the predictions are that he will only raise $550 to $600 million. With this much of an advantage then why would the Obama team not give some money to attempt to get a favorable House or Keep the Senate? Without them there is no way he would get anymore of his legislative agenda passed and will be a lame duck on the day after the election. There will be nothing done for 4 years. The only reasonable conclusion is that the re election team knows that this election is going to be close and they need all the money to attempt to hold onto power.
No Longer Republican
March 5th, 2012
11:39 am
I will hold my nose and breath tomorrow and vote for Sick Rantorum. Polls in Georgia are not giving him much of a chance, but it is idiots like him that made me leave the Republican side and come over to the wild side. He has no chance whatsoever at beating Pres. Obama and I would love to see his name on the ballot in November. Obama 2012!!!
CT
March 5th, 2012
11:39 am
I’m from GA….Born and Breed, and I know these backward azz hicks will vote for Newt. But let me tell you Republicans something..It don’t matter who you have running against the Prez because you have not viable candidates. Yall say ABO (Anybody But Obama)…………..We say NBO (Nobody but Obama)!….you’ll see 2012.
missmollie
March 5th, 2012
11:42 am
@ cynd: You have a real gift of the pen…..I agree with everything you said. However, …..I
hope you are voting for my candidate, Romney, the next POTUS.
P S I hope Karen Handel returns to Atlanta and can find her place again in Ga politics outside of
the realm of “the good ole boys (& a few good ole girls) who continue to put her “in her place “.
td
March 5th, 2012
11:42 am
WOW
March 5th, 2012
11:36 am
@ Centrist
The President may loose Indiana, NC, and Virginia, but should cary FLA, OH, and CO. Less states than 08, but still a comfortable re-election margin.
I think it will be very difficult for Obama to take and of the states you mentioned with the exception of CO. The election will be won or lost in AZ, NM. MO and WIs.
DannyX
March 5th, 2012
11:44 am
NBC/Marist March 4
Obama v Romney
Virginia- Obama +17
Ohio- Obama +12
No Longer Republican
March 5th, 2012
11:45 am
BTW six months ago I was thinking I was staying at home because I am not 100% thrilled with what Mr. Obama has not been able to accomplish, but once I started hearing the stupidity coming out of Newt, Romney, Rick Perry, and the other clowns, I decided there was no way I could take a chance that one of these people might get elected. So now my facebook, twitter, and any other forms of influence I might have will proudly support our President. Maybe in the next four years the President will have the opportunity to change the make-up of the SCOTUS. Slowly but surely the religious right is trying to take every single freedom away from you and me that they consider against their religion. And if we elect morons lick Sick Rantorum it will happen even faster.
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
11:46 am
I agree with both WOW and td posts.
The Senate split no longer matters since ALL big issues (including judicial and Supreme Court nominees thanks to the Democrats during the Bush administration) need 60 votes.
missmollie
March 5th, 2012
11:47 am
Cross-over Democrats…SHAMEON YOU!!! “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Noses”…
DannyX
March 5th, 2012
11:48 am
Wisconsin
Real Clear Politics Average, Feb 16-27
Obama +11.3 over Romney
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
11:49 am
Virginia is going to be won by Obama. Romney is campaigning on reducing the number and salaries of government workers. Guess where so many of them live.
Becky
March 5th, 2012
11:51 am
missmollie-what office do you have in mind for handel? dog catcher is too good for the likes of her. May she disappear and take that other whiner ralphie reed with her.
Becky
March 5th, 2012
11:52 am
I’m proud to be a cross over democrat!!!! Go Ron Paul. Keeping the feet on the floor of the clown car. Noot can get out and pump his half gallon of gas for $2.50.
Shawn
March 5th, 2012
11:53 am
This is depressing. I can’t believe so many in this state can turn a blind eye to all of Newt’s transgressions (and I’m talking political sins, not personal/moral sins). I have lobbied everyone I know to get out a vote for anyone EXCEPT Newt. He needs to be put out of this race for good, and a win here only breathes false life into his campaign. He’ll end up derailing the GOP ticket irreparably, and we’ll be stuck with Obama for another four years because of his arrogance.
td
March 5th, 2012
11:53 am
DannyX
March 5th, 2012
11:44 am
NBC/Marist March 4
Obama v Romney
Virginia- Obama +17
Ohio- Obama +12
I will bet you every penny I have that Obama will not win those states by the numbers you posted. Where were you last week when the polling data was just the opposite and it showed Romney up? I have told you many times that polls are useless this early in the elections season.
Billy
March 5th, 2012
11:57 am
I voted for NG. As a life long Georgian, and a Republican since Reagan ran against Carter in my teen years, the most conservative person is best, whether it’s Gingrich or Santorum. If Santorum was ahead in the polls, that’s who I’d vote for–whatever it takes to stop Romney. Granted, NG won’t win the eventual nom, but Romney won’t win Georgia, so it’s yet another way to throw a hindrance in MR’s way. BTW, there are several liberal states up north for all you whiners. Hey, I heard they have free health care in Mass! (What worthless dolts…)
Frankie
March 5th, 2012
11:58 am
hey Newt is smart enough to have herman cain as his campaign buddy. Must be nice to have people in your camp of similar interest (adultery). Gonna be one heck of a campaign party come super tuesday…
Agreed becky…you and mike luchovich must been reading my mind because when Newt first said he would get gas prices down to $2.50 he left of the Units,, he did not say $2.50 per gallon….so i assuume he meant $2.50 perhalf gallon….OBAMA….2012
Frankie
March 5th, 2012
11:59 am
It is funny the people actually believe that the POTUS actually controls the gas prices….even BUSH/Cheney who had direct control of the oil prices could not control the price of atank of gas…I’m just sayin….
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
12:00 pm
Could be the end for Santorum tomorrow:
Mitt Romney has the momentum, and 34 percent of likely Republican primary voters, to former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum’s 31 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Most other polls show them now tied.
This is a 10-point shift from a February 27 Ohio survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University showing Santorum with a 36 – 29 percent lead.
In this latest survey, men split with 33 percent for Santorum and 31 percent for Romney. Women back Romney 38 – 29 percent. Self-described conservatives, a strong base of Santorum support in earlier surveys, are split with 35 percent for Santorum and 33 percent for Romney.
“To borrow from the book of Berra, Yogi that is: It’s deja vu all over again for Gov. Mitt Romney. Just as he did in Florida and Michigan, Romney has erased a sizable deficit a week before the primary to grab the momentum in the final 24 hours,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling institute. “A week ago, Quinnipiac had Sen. Santorum ahead by seven points, now it’s Romney by three – a 10-point swing in seven days. The margin makes the Ohio race too close to call, but Romney is the one with the wind at his back.”
DannyX
March 5th, 2012
12:01 pm
td- “I have told you many times that polls are useless this early in the elections season.”
Yet here you were last week posting poll results because you found a fluke poll in your favor.
WOW
March 5th, 2012
12:01 pm
@ TD
The polling I see from FLA is very encouraging for the President. Combine that with OH and WIS and you have the states with the 3 most unpopular Gov’s in the country.
You mention AZ and NM all I can say is that Romney ruined any chance of those with his immigration pivot, unless he changes his position again (which shouldn’t surprise anyone)
George Hills
March 5th, 2012
12:01 pm
Mr. Gingrich helped pass the 1996 misdemeanor gun ban in Congress, hiding it in a 750-page last-minute budget bill. Many people in his district stayed mad until he quit in 1998. Only a fool would vote for him now.
Tom
March 5th, 2012
12:05 pm
DannyX
March 5th, 2012
12:01 pm
Yet here you were last week posting poll results because you found a fluke poll in your favor.
Not to hijack, but it sounds like Fluke has all the ‘polling’ she can handle.
Bill
March 5th, 2012
12:06 pm
I forgive Newt for all his sins. However, I would never vote for him.
Tom
March 5th, 2012
12:10 pm
Santorum also supported the Lautenburg gun ban.
James Alexander
March 5th, 2012
12:16 pm
Romney’s the most qualified R candidate that has put forth a plausible plan restore the US economy and to help put the US back to work. He can point to a history of business experience as well.
Gingrich may have a few good solutions to problems but based upon his past, shows poor management skills, doesn’t belong at the top of the ticket, and won’t garner enough delegates of the 1144 needed to win a nomination.
Santorum is a phony-baloney, big government,big spending (check his voting record) church lady that has a case of Joe Biden’s foot-in-mouth disease. Drop out, Santorum and quit siphoning away votes from the better qualified candidates.
honested
March 5th, 2012
12:28 pm
James A…..
While worrying about a ‘candidate to put forth a plausible plan to restore the US economy’, if that is the concern then fold the tent……he already lives in the White House.
WOW
March 5th, 2012
12:45 pm
Does Romney have a plan? All I here from him is why not to vote for someone else.
WOW
March 5th, 2012
12:46 pm
hear not here
March
March 5th, 2012
12:50 pm
done voted for Mitt — I do not care if he has “a plan” — when ever he gets a plan, it will be better than what we have now.
Becky
March 5th, 2012
12:54 pm
March-really? Why did you choose Mitt over the others if you have no grasp of their plans?
American
March 5th, 2012
1:15 pm
So, we find South Carolina and Georgia making the same dumb choice….I was hoping we ahead of the folks in South Carolina but I guess it just shows that we have not made much educational progress in our state either.
Alabama Communist
March 5th, 2012
1:33 pm
More Breaking News On Newt Sweeping Georgia!!!!!!!!! A prerecorder Victory Speech by Newt was release today by unknown sources in the Rommey Camp………” AFTER TAKING GEORGIA WE WILL TAKE IOWA ! AND THAN CHICAGO AND FINALLY THE NATION YEAHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !”
Becky
March 5th, 2012
1:33 pm
Love this:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/03/bob-staake-mitt-romney-rick-santorum-cover.html
Sterling Smith
March 5th, 2012
1:36 pm
I laugh at “doubles” complaining about those “holier than thou” people that critize Newts extra-marital affairs. I’ll bet a dollar to a donut hole that “double” is one of the same “christians” that rail against contraception, abortion, and similar right-wing lightening rods.
“Double” – do you take the same stance when Santorum, Newt and Romney complain about women wanting contraceptives? About their complaints of women that have an abortion? Do you call them “holier than thou”?
You can’t have it both ways…. the people complaining about Newt can’t be wrong and if you can’t apply the same standard to the right wong conservative (go look in a mirror)!