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Thursday October 28, 2010


U.S. Senate Race Roundup: Washington’s Dino Rossi Fights Back, California’s Carly Hits Trail after Illness

By Peter J. Smith

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 28, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – At least three U.S. Senate races involving pro-life advocates could tip the scales this election for Republicans in their quest to regain control of the Senate with 51 seats. LifeSiteNews.com takes a look at three toss-up states, Washington, California, and West Virginia, as pro-life advocates race to make their case to voters with just five days remaining before election day.

Washington:

Pro-life Republican Dino Rossi has once again fought his way from behind into a statistical tie with pro-abortion incumbent Patty Murray in Washington’s U.S. Senate race. The race is crucial for Republicans looking for the 51st seat to retake the U.S. Senate from Democrat control.

According to Rasmussen, Rossi now leads Murray by one point, 48 percent to 47 percent. The polling firm sampled 750 likely voters on October 27, with a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.

Just last week, Murray was holding a slighter larger lead over Rossi, 49 percent to 46 percent, in another Rasmussen poll.

Polls have consistently put Murray under 50 percent support, the danger zone for an incumbent politician who has held office for three Senate terms – almost 18 years.

Ultimately the race is going down to the wire on November 2. If elected, Rossi would be the first pro-life Senator to represent the state since Roe v. Wade.


California:

Pro-life GOP Senate candidate Carly Fiorina, 56, was in the hospital this past week over complications related to breast cancer. The former Hewlett-Packard CEO spent two days in the hospital needing antibiotics to treat an infection associated with reconstructive surgery she had after surviving breast cancer.

The pro-life GOPer is challenging pro-abortion heavyweight Sen. Barbara Boxer this election, and hit the campaign trail again. The Associated Press reports Fiorina told supporters at Sacramento’s McClellan Business Park, “I am completely cancer free and feel fantastic.”

Fiorina has just five more days to convince the people of California to elect her and retire Boxer.

However, the numbers are not as promising for Fiorina as they are for Washington’s Dino Rossi. Yesterday’s Rasmussen survey of 750 likely voters showed Boxer with a three point lead, 49 percent to 46 percent.

Rasmussen still rates the race a toss-up, while RealClearPolitics (RCP) believes the race leans Democrat.

A CNN/Time poll of likely voters, conducted October 20-26, also has Boxer up by 5 points. A Survey USA poll of likely voters conducted at approximately the same time also has Boxer leading by the same percentage spread.

In the final analysis, the only effective poll will be the one voters return on November 2.


West Virginia:

What will West Virginia’s socially conservative electorate decide in 2010? Vote in Democrat Gov. Joe Manchin III with his pro-life record, or elect Republican conservative John Raese, who also has a reputation as a stalwart pro-life advocate?

For Republicans, picking up West Virginia at this point is crucial to getting their Senate majority and enacting legislation that would reverse Obama’s major domestic policy initiatives.

According to Rasmussen, Manchin now leads Raese by three points, 49 percent to 46 percent, among likely voters. The margin of error is +/- 4 percent, and Rasmussen rates the race one of the closest in the country.

In better times, the race would be a slam dunk for a Democrat, especially for the popular Manchin. But the state’s voters are very unhappy with President Barack Obama and his policies. This time around, voters are weighing whether a vote for Manchin means a vote to empower a Democrat-led Senate that will continue to implement Obama’s agenda.

The Charleston Daily Mail decided to endorse Raese over Manchin, saying it was a “painful” choice, as Manchin had been so effective as governor and at representing the state’s interests. However, they continued that Manchin had not convinced them that he would actually stand against Obama’s agenda as suggested by his recent campaign rhetoric. The editors added that they had no such doubts about Raese.

Manchin has taken a strong rightward turn over the past few weeks, which may help explain his rise in the polls. Previously he was under attack for his endorsement of the unpopular Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law, which he made back in March before it was passed. Manchin later recanted and said he favors scrapping large portions of the bill, especially the pro-abortion provisions.

However, Manchin has another problem on his hands: a federal investigation has subpoenaed high level members in his administration for possible wrongdoing. While nothing connects to Manchin at the moment, and the investigation will not be completed before election day, the federal criminal probe will likely make a tight race even tighter with West Virginia’s wary voters. Politico has more here.

See related coverage by LifeSiteNews.com:

Races Tighten in US Senate Races for Pro-life Candidates
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/oct/10102207.html

Pro-Abortion Obama Sinks to New Low in Public Opinion Survey
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/oct/10100502.html

Nevada: GOP’s Pro-Life Angle Builds Lead, while Harry Reid Crumbles in Polls
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/oct/10100705.html

AUL Action “Life Counts Campaign” Targets ObamaCare’s Pro-Life Dems
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/oct/10100507.html

Democrats Hope Pro-Life Candidate Will be GOP Spoiler in Illinois Pro-Abort Senate Battle
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/oct/10100703.html

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