Poll Memo: Md. Democrats ready for Tuesday and the road ahead

Poll Memo:  A recent statewide poll conducted for the Baltimore Sun, undeniably illustrates that the Democratic Party in Maryland is as strong as ever, is poised for victory on Tuesday and has successfully laid the groundwork to challenge and defeat of the current Republican Governor, Bob Ehrlich.

Make no mistake, neither is a forgone conclusion.  A massive amount of work still needs to be done. We must translate our energy into real results at the polls on Election Day.  And, we must continue build on that momentum going into 2006.  As the poll makes clear, we can do it. But we can’t do it without continuing to work hard--with passion.

All this being said, what can not be disputed, is that the Republicans have struggled to successfully capitalize on their historic victory in the 2002 Gubernatorial election.  Bob Ehrlich’s victory has not translated into more support for George W. Bush in Maryland.  It has not translated into the State Republican Party’s ability to recruit successful candidates.  And finally, Gov. Ehrlich himself is struggling for momentum on his own agenda and is clearly only concerned about his own reelection prospects, which are dismal.

None of this is cause for celebration; it is cause to for us to seize opportunity and build on our strength.  Thank you for your hard work.  Now, let’s finish the job!

Sincerely,

Ike Leggett, Chairman, Maryland Democratic Party 

Poll Facts: Take a look at the recent polling information from the Baltimore Sun.

Maryland voters strongly behind Kerry, poll shows: “Marylanders overwhelmingly… support Sen. John Kerry in the race against President Bush by a 56-39 percent margin, according to a poll for The Sun”. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/elections/bal-pollforweb1027,1,426765.story 

Pipkin's heavy spending fails to dent Mikulski's appeal:  “Despite a huge… barrage of negative television ads, Republican millionaire E.J. Pipkin has been unable to overcome the personal popularity of Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, a new poll conducted for The Sun shows.” http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/elections/bal-te.md.mikulski28oct28,1,7581826.story 

Survey shows tough race brewing for Ehrlich in '06:  Both Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan and Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley would give Ehrlich biggest challenge of his political life if the gubernatorial election were held today, a poll for The Sun shows.  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.poll29oct29,1,1671830.story 

Video: Polling Analysis from the Sun’s Annapolis Bureau Chief, David Nitkin http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/elections/bal-nitkin-poll1028,1,2901027.quicktime?coll=bal-home-headlines