Two Democratic Polls Show Council Candidates with 5 Point Leads
Oct 06, 2008 | Posted by Guy

Two polls out today show Council endorsed candidates with solid leads in Minnesota and New York.  

The New York poll:
Eric Massa (D): 47
Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-inc): 42
    (MoE: ±4.9%)

Massa nearly won against Kuhl with little support from outside the district in 2006.  This year he is receiving significant support from the national party, and Kuhl is not running a vigorous campaign.  In fact, Kuhl is currently refusing to debate Massa.  When an incumbent refuses to debate, that's a sure sign their campaign is in trouble.

Learn more about Eric Massa here.

The Minnesota poll:
Ashwin Madia (D): 44
Erik Paulsen (R): 39
David Dillon (IP): 8
    (MoE: ±4.9%)

This is an open-seat race to replace retiring  Republican Rep. Jim Ramstad.  Madia argues that his positions are actually closer to the moderate Ramstad's than the hyper-conservative Paulsen's are.  Paulsen has charged that Madia, the 30 year old son of Indian immigrants who also served in Iraq, does not have the "suburban life experience" needed to properly represent Minnesotans.  Whatever that means.

You can learn more about Madia here.