Poll gives good news to Barrett gubernatorial campaign

Thursday, Political Net News posted an internal poll conducted by Whit Ayers (Ayers, McHenry & Associates) for the gubernatorial campaign for U.S. Rep Gresham Barrett. Not surprisingly, it diverges slightly from the poll conducted by Richard Quinn & Associates for the Henry McMaster campaign.

Starting off, the report says the numbers show Barrett is more competitive than expected, considering his lower name recognition from statewide elected officials like Atty. Gen. McMaster and Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer.

Bauer is set up the best on name ID at 89 percent, but his fave/unfave is pretty close at 43/30. McMaster had a name ID of 75 percent, and a fave/unfave of 42/9. Barrett, sequestered in the U.S. House Third District, had a name ID of 49 percent and a fave/unfave of 28/6.

There are a myriad of ways one could spin those numbers, but it is obvious that Bauer is in the most trouble, with a high name ID combined with higher negatives than anyone else. Barrett, in a situation that could cut both ways, has the opportunity to boost his name ID and positives at the same point, if he does it right.

The most shocking aspect of the poll, after looking at the above numbers, is that in a three-way race, the race is basically tied. Bauer leads with 25 percent, followed by McMaster at 22 percent and Barrett at 21 percent. Also, Barrett holds an abnormal lead in his own district, a district loaded with Republicans, at 60 percent to 10 for Bauer and nine for McMaster.

Also, after a person hearing a objective description of the candidates, Barrett leads with 44 percent, followed by McMaster with 31 and Bauer at 17.

The survey was done among 500 likely Republican primary voters from Feb. 22-24. Paid for by the Barrett campaign, the poll has a margin of error of 4.38 percent.