UPDATE: In response for to questions from Hawai’i Free Press about the poll’s internals, Blair Latoff of the US Chamber of Commerce replies:
“The poll was conducted from July 12-15. The margin of error is 4%, sample size is 600 registered voters. It is balanced to fit the voting patterns of Hawaii historically and is consistent with a public poll that showed Lingle was up 5 points last week. This is an internal polling document so that is all the information we are releasing at this time.”
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U.S. Chamber Poll: GOP’s Lingle Ahead in Hawaii Senate Race
WSJ: A new round of polling from the business-friendly U.S Chamber of Commerce suggests President Barack Obama’s home state might actually be in play.
Republican former Gov. Linda Lingle leads Democratic Rep. Mazie Hirono, 47% to 41%, to fill a seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka, according to a new poll released by the Chamber. Earlier polls show the Democrat with a solid lead.
The Chamber, which rarely discloses poll results, released the Hawaii numbers along with the results of public-opinion surveys for Senate races in Montana and Virginia that also show the Republican candidates outpacing their Democratic opponents.
The results reinforce the Chamber’s early round of television ads in each of the state’s where the group is releasing its polls. The group has promised to spend at least $50 million on the November elections, largely in support of Republican candidates in the most competitive House and Senate races.
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WSJ: Lingle Ahead in Senate Race
Today, the Wall Street Journal reported on the second poll released in a week, placing Governor Lingle 6-points ahead of her leading opponent. The momentum is surging as our campaign enters the last few weeks of the primary!
Here is an excerpt from the WSJ article:
"Gov. Linda Lingle leads Democratic Rep. Mazie Hirono, 47% to 41%...Rob Engstrom, the Chamber’s national political director, said Republicans have a chance in Hawaii because Ms. Lingle is a strong candidate with a uniquely bipartisan appeal...'Linda Lingle may well be the best candidate in the nation this year,' he said."
Also, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published a front page article discussing Governor Lingle's proven record of successfully working across the aisle for the betterment of the people of Hawaii, and her plans, if elected, to the U.S. Senate. Here are the headlines from this morning's paper:
Over the last 9 months, with your help, our campaign has continued to make great strides, by listening and interacting with people here at home. Governor Lingle has always been the leader who we can trust to represent the interest and values of our `ohana, kupuna, and keiki.
Best,
Bob Lee
Campaign Manager
P.S. To read the full WSJ article, click here. To read the full Star-Advertiser article, click here.