Durbin may be Vulnerable

Maybe this is why Bill Daley is so nervous.

A national pollster commissioned by the Sauerberg campaign this spring shows Sen. Dick Durbin may be vulnerable, with high negatives and low reelect numbers. If anything, the disaffection with Durbin has intensified, given the Do-Nothing Democrats' lackluster performance in Congress, and their spectacular failure to craft a budget in Springfield.

(From a source on the campaign.):

The survey results show that Dick Durbin is significantly more vulnerable than conventional wisdom would think. Dick Durbin is underperforming in his opinion rating and job rating. In both cases, Dick Durbin's ratings are below 50%, which is a sign of vulnerability for an incumbent. Among likely general election voters, Dick Durbin only receives a 49% favorable rating, while nearly one-quarter (24%) has an unfavorable opinion of him. Dick Durbin's job performance has polarized the electorate. Only 47% believes he is doing an excellent or good job as Senator while 40% believes he is doing an only fair or poor job.

Will you please tell me if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Dick Durbin?		Overall, how would you rate the job Dick Durbin is doing as Senator?
	Total		Total
Favorable	49%	Excellent/Good	47%
Unfavorable	24%	Only Fair/Poor	40%
No Opinion	23%	Don't Know	13%

The voters are split on whether Dick Durbin, as a leader in the U.S. Senate, is putting Illinois needs first or putting Washington political interests first. Only 36% thinks he is putting Illinois needs first. A clear majority (65%) either believes Dick Durbin is putting Washington political interests first (33%) or doesn't know (32%). These results are a strong indicator of Dick Durbin's weakness as an incumbent seeking re-election.

As a leader in the US Senate, is Dick Durbin putting Illinois needs first,

or is Dick Durbin putting Washington political interests first?

	Total
Illinois First	36%
Washington First	33%
Don't Know	32%

Part of Dick Durbin's troubles in Illinois will be facing a tough political environment for his fellow Democrat Governor. Rod Blagojevich has a net negative opinion rating and job rating. Despite Dick Durbin running for a federal office and not a state office, Governor Blagojevich's very poor numbers will have a negative effect on Dick Durbin's bid for re-election.

So, it may be a more interesting race than first thought. Here are Sauerberg's 10 questions for Dick Durbin, the DC politico.

Previous posts: Sauerberg In Against Durbin, Dull Durbin