CQ article on New Poll Results for Dem Senate Primary

Cross-posted from Crablaw.

From CQPolitics.com, August 30, 2006:

Maryland Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin became the consensus front-runner for the Sept. 12 Democratic Senate primary soon after he announced his bid to succeed retiring five-term Democrat Paul S. Sarbanes. Cardin’s two decades of House experience, senior position on the Ways and Means Committee, fundraising skills and party establishment backing appeared to give him the edge over his chief rival: Kweisi Mfume, a former House member (1987-96) who more recently was president of the national NAACP.

But Cardin, whose bland political persona contrasts with Mfume’s personal charisma, was stymied through much of the campaign by polls showing the two running neck and neck.

The latest independent poll, though, which was released Wednesday — just 13 days before the primary — was also the first to show Cardin with significant breathing space. The poll, conducted by the nonpartisan firm Gonzales Research and Marketing Strategies, found Cardin leading Mfume by 43 percent to 30 percent, with heavily self-financed businessman Josh Rales in third with 6 percent.

I attempted to find a link to the poll at Gonzales Research, but I suspect that Gonzales may have embargoed the poll for some period. I would prefer to examine the data myself; no substitute exists for solid data. But I cannot say that I am surprised. Cardin has a massive cash advantage and has been spending money.