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Altmire poll memo claims huge lead
Congressman Jason Altmire (D-4) is entering the homestretch before Election Day with high approval ratings and a commanding lead over Republican opponent Keith Rothfus, according to an internal poll memo.
The poll memo, released by Altmire’s campaign Tuesday, claims that Altmire holds a 27-point advantage over the Edgeworth attorney, 51 percent to 24 percent. The poll memo, based on a survey of 400 likely voters conducted by the firm Anzalone Liszt Research, also claims that 60 percent of respondents view the two-term congressman favorably, and 54 percent give him a positive job-approval rating.
“Altmire is no stranger to winning elections in a district that has historically favored Republicans,” pollsters John Anzalone and Brian Stryker wrote, “and voters’ affection for Jason and their appreciation of his job performance once again put him in a commanding lead over his Republican opponent.”
The full survey questions and toplines were not available, making the veracity of the poll impossible to assess. But Altmire enjoys a significant financial advantage over Rothfus, and has already begun his TV campaign. His opposition to health care reform legislation has led some Republicans to count out the southwest Pennsylvania district as a pick-up opportunity. Altmire’s campaign had done little public messaging prior to its first TV ad, and has yet to refer to his opponent by name. But despite claims by the campaign that Altmire is focused solely on his day job, the release of the poll memo underscores that the campaign is still very much looking to frame the November contest on its terms.
The survey was conducted Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, but the poll memo did not indicate a margin of error.
Click here to see the poll memo.
September 7, 2010 at 10:53 am
Tags: Jason Altmire, Keith Rothfus, PA-4
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Tony B.
Sep 7th, 2010
Rothfus was feeling his oats after defeating possibly the worst candidate in modern history – Mary Beth Buchanan. Internal poll or not, 27 points is HUGE.
Memo to Rothfus; the fat lady is starting to sing.
John G.
Sep 7th, 2010
An internal poll is hardly reason for “the fat lady to start singing.” Regardless of what Jason Altmire and his polling team like to think, he is in for a tough re-election battle versus Keith Rothfus. Altmire said just last week that he wouldn’t vote for repeal of the health care law even though he voted against passage. It’s obvious now that he was given a pass not to vote for it. The people of PA-4 have Arlen Specter Jr. for a Congressman.
Tony B.
Sep 7th, 2010
Dear John G.
The repeal health care BS is another phony, tea party ploy. Rothfus is a dud pure and simple. Altmire will post 60%. You can book it!
Kevin
Sep 7th, 2010
John G. :
Keep repeating the Rothfus lie that Altmire was given a pass. You have no clue how hard he was pressured to vote for the bill even after he came out publicly against it.
I guess you want a Congressman like Rothfus that doesn’t plan on reading legislation and made his decision on the healthcare bill before the bill was even drafted.
John G.
Sep 7th, 2010
Per RCP, 52% of Americans disapprove of the health care law. In an R+6 district like PA-4, I’m sure the number is higher. Hardly just a tea party message. Altmire has never won 60% of the vote. Not even in the Democrat year of 2008. In 2006 he won by a mere 4%.
I highly doubt any real pressure was applied. If that were the case, why would Altmire run to the press to state his opposition to the bill. Pure political posturing in a Republican leaning district.
Anonymous
Sep 8th, 2010
The Recovery Act(Stimulus Bill) worked and is working, and the Health Care Law is not fully implemented, therefore it can’t be a failure because all the component parts aren’t on yet!!….lets all take a really deep breathe and read, walk your neighborhood or city and see things happening or not or check you local listings for fact based information…please. This campaign season belongs in a scene of “One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest”. Both Altmire and Rothfus need to get a grip.
TB
Sep 8th, 2010
@ John G. I love getting in a few jabs at Altmire for parading around on Faux News talking about how he wasn’t sure which way he was going to vote for a few weeks before passage in the House. But I will say that it took courage on his part to buck the Leadership. I for one, would not have had the cajones to go into the Speaker’s wood shed and say to her face that I would be voting Nay on the biggest piece of legislation the Party has produced since Medicare. She probably emasculated him.
Chris Lucas
Sep 8th, 2010
If Altmire is so wonderful why would he not answer my question at his town hall meeting? Pretty simple–why are you co sponsoring a piece of legislation and he starts talking about debt commissions. I guess Mr anti-bailout didn’t want people to know that he want to bail out union pensions. How much money has he raised within the district? Not all that much. He is for card check, was against the surge but he is mr1′indpendent” I found evidence that he actually supported the health care bill so he was given a pass-fools!
PoliticsPA’s Morning Buzz: 9/8 Edition | Politics PA
Sep 8th, 2010
[...] PA2010.com: Altmire poll memo claims huge lead [...]
Tony B
Sep 8th, 2010
Rothfus is to the right of Missy Hart. Hey Tea Party Loonies, were’s Missy now?????
tiredofthehyposcrisy
Sep 15th, 2010
AAltmire is despicable and tho we may not get rid oof him this cycle, we will in the next. He DID vvote for the reconciliation measure that would have passed that atrocious bill had it not passed the conventional way. Poo Jason & the tremendous pressure he was under??? what, is he 10 ??!! the people in his district DID NOT WANT THIS MESS. If he is too weak, insecure, and wishy washy to stand up to Pelosi then he has got to go.
Jeremy
Sep 22nd, 2010
Facts are Jason did vote against the bailout and the healthcare bill. He is a moderate. Voting against those bills are hardly voting with Pelosi and Reid.
JASON ALTMIRE HAS MY VOTE!
NC
Sep 28th, 2010
The only poll that matters will be held in November. Jason Altmire is part of the problem and will see just what his constituents think of his voting against their will.
The stimulus was irresponsible spending of money we don’t have to pay special interests for their votes in 2008. It did nothing to turn the economic situation around. His vote for it is unforgivable. Jason looks to be in this for a nice career rather to make a difference. He has got to go, along with the other out of touch congressional officials who refuse to be responsible to the people they represent.