This morning in an article from the Dakota Scout, Team Rhoden was pushing back against the Emerson College poll that had him mired in the pack of others running in the race for Governor who aren’t Dusty Johnson.
Rhoden’s people were pushing their own polling claiming they’re only five points down according to their own polling, and not in third place, 11 points down as the Emerson College poll claimed.
Larry Rhoden was within 5 percentage points of Johnson in a poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, down 28 to 33 – within the margin of error. Toby Doeden followed with 16 percent while Jon Hansen had 10 percent.
and..
The pollsters reached different conclusions. The Public Opinion Strategies firm includes Glen Bolger, who has polled South Dakota political races for decades. The firm concluded that Rhoden had a 9-point lead over Johnson in a head-to-head contest, leading 48-39. The governor also led among base GOP voters and those favorable to Trump.
I have not seen the new poll results myself, but there’s little other information presented such as when the poll was conducted, as well as other factors. It does closely mirror other poll results I have seen – but those were over a month stale now, and the Emerson poll is less than a week old.
The Governor’s poll may claim that he would fare well in a direct head to head.. but it’s not a direct head to head. It’s a 4-way contest at the moment. And there’s a lot of campaigning before there would be any chance of a head to head.
Stay tuned. Much more campaigning and I’m sure there are many more polls to come.
(And as a sidebar, please keep Glen Bolger who has done polling for many South Dakota candidates over the years in your thoughts and prayers, as it’s my understanding that he has taken gravely ill.)
If anything, the poll represents a high-water mark for Rhoden. Unlike Dusty Johnson, who is a relentless campaigner, Rhoden doesn’t have the political skills or personality to win a statewide office and can only take advantage of his incumbency. Doeden and and Hansen also appeal to a certain passion and ideology within the party. Rhoden simply doesn’t have a lane and is most likely to finish dead last.
That is the kindest wording I have ever seen applied to Doeden’s appeal. Truly.
I actually believe Dusty, who’s been running for governor since he was 10 and still can’t crack 35, is actually at his ceiling. I mean, Taffy’s 40% automatically goes somewhere else. He’s lucky this is a four way race.
Yet a national poll says 81% of SD Republicans approve of the job he’s doing. With the biggest tax cut in South Dakota history being signed into law today, I can’t imagine that number going down.
The fight for second place has begun.
Have not seen one Rhoden ad yet which is fine with me.
Yeah the Rhoden team is spinning and Mr Powers isn’t,, Got it. Does this actually work in practice?
The decades old pollster used by Rounds, Thune, etc. was conducted last week. My husband got the call. Tony said in the less conference today that they were both conducted at about the same time.
I’d ask how many campaign staffers Rhoden has commenting, but I don’t think he has a campaign yet.
All the staffers from both camps are spinning. Dusty has the money and the edge. But this race is close and anything can happen. Quality of ads going forward is going to make a big difference. Other questions – can Rhoden perform in the debates with Tony is his ear? Can he raise any money to get his message out? Can Toby relate to anyone beyond about 15%? Will Hansen stay in?
Who the f@@k would vote for more trump bs with Doeden.