Polls and '06 Election News

Bush’s job approval is stuck at 43%, according to a new Zogby poll.

The survey finds that, despite a more favorable rating for Hurricane Rita preparation and leadership, President Bush continues to be viewed in negative terms for the government’s performance during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It also finds that his signature strong issue, the War on Terror, has ticked downward slightly, and his handling of the war is now approved by a minority of voters.

Meanwhile, in some east-coast gubernatorial races…

Massachusetts:

A new University of Massachusetts poll shows Gov. Mitt Romney (R) trailing in the state’s gubernatorial race. Against Attorney General Tom Reilly (D), Romney is behind 38% to 53%, and against Secretary of State William Galvin (D), Romney trails 42% to 46%.

All three Democrats are ahead in a potential matchup with Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R).

New York:

New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D) "buries any of four possible Republican contenders for New York State Governor," according to a new Quinnipiac poll.

Possible matchups:

- Spitzer over Randy Daniels 60% to 15%
- Spitzer over Thomas Golisano 56% to 22%
- Spitzer over William Weld 60% to 16%
- Spitzer over John Faso 60% to 14%

In a GOP primary, Golisano leads with 33%, followed by 8% for Faso, 7% for Daniels and 6% for Weld.

New Jersey:

Political Wire has seen a new Penn, Schoen, Berland poll (D) of the New Jersey gubernatorial race that shows Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) leading Doug Forrester (R) 46% to 33%.

Pennsylvania:

Pennsylvania voters give Gov. Ed. Rendell a 46 - 38 percent approval rating, one of his lowest marks ever, but he still holds double-digit leads over any likely Republican challenger in his bid for reelection next year, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

And finally, The Hill reports that the GOP is having problems mounting Senate candidates in some key races. And an update on that story, which noted Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) was without a Democratic challenger… Jack Carter, son of former president Jimmy Carter and a Las Vegas resident, has thrown his hat in the ring.