From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/22/06:
http://www.ajc.com/today/content/epaper/editions/today/metro_44023e8846d342d700c2.html
Reed a drag on GOP ticket
By Tom Baxter, Jim Galloway - Staff
A tough race for Sonny could be even tougher with Reed at his side.
Or so sayeth the pollster.
On Monday, pollster Matt Towery raised Republican blood pressure with
the news that President Bush's approval ratings in Georgia had dropped
significantly.
And that Gov. Sonny Perdue was no longer the shoo-in many thought he
would be this November.
On Tuesday, the head of Internet political news service Insider
Advantage cut loose another set of worrisome numbers for the state's
Republicans:
Ralph Reed, the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor, at this point
represents an 8-point drag on a Perdue-Reed ticket.
For you geeks, the margin of error is 4 percent, and dates of the
survey were March 14-17.
The question asked of 500 likely Republican voters was simple:
"Would you be more or less likely to vote for Sonny Perdue as governor
if Ralph Reed were the nominee for lieutenant governor?"
No mention was made of Reed's Republican rival, state Sen. Casey Cagle
of Gainesville.
Nor was there any mention of Reed's troublesome ties to Washington
lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Eighteen percent of those polled said they'd be more likely to support
Perdue with Reed on the ticket.
But 26 percent said they'd be less likely.
The difference could be crucial.
Reed has argued that he represent's the state GOP's best chance for
turning out the base in November.
But Towery said Reed's weakness is that he frightens the independents
who are essential to the creation of winning majorities in Georgia.
In a head-to-head match-up among Republican voters, Reed leads with 24
percent to Cagle's 17 percent.
Which leaves 59 percent undecided.
That's a large number, given Reed's past prominence in the party,
first as head of the Christian Coalition, then as chairman of the
state Republican Party.
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Stick around, Ralphie baby.
Harry
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