S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster has extended his early lead over the Republican field in the 2010 gubernatorial race, according to polling done last week by a firm affiliated with his campaign.
FITS obtained the results of the poll from individuals who received an “Executive Briefing for McMaster Steering Committee” that was prepared by the Attorney General’s top consultant, Richard Quinn.
According to the poll, McMaster is currently receiving 48% of the GOP primary vote – or an amount equal to the combined percentage of his three closest opponents – Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer (21%), U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett (20%) and S.C. Rep. Nikki Haley (7%). State Sen. Larry Grooms received the support of 4% of those polled.
According to a poll conducted by this same outfit back in January, McMaster was receiving 40% of GOP support, compared to 31% for Bauer and 29% for Barrett. Neither Haley nor Grooms was tested in the original poll.
“Henry McMaster has surged to a two-to-one lead over his two nearest primary opponents,” Quinn writes in the strategy memo. “In fact, these early numbers indicate McMaster has the potential to win the race outright, without a run-off, although that would be unlikely in a five candidate contest.”
Obviously, this is polling data that should be taken with an ocean of salt – as we’ve noted in the past. Any internal polling is automatically suspicious, and we’d encourage our readers to reserve judgment until a truly independent poll is conducted.
Still, the fact that Quinn is touting a near-double digit gain by his candidate (and similar losses by his two chief rivals), is meant to move “undecided money” (i.e. Republican financial donors who haven’t committed to a particular candidate) in
Speaking of “undecided money” the $64,000 question is whether or not S.C. GOP voters will have the same positive impression of McMaster once they realize that the dirt beneath their feet is substantially more intelligent than him.
Of course, then again, look at his competition …
McMaster, Bauer, Barrett, Haley and Grooms will all be in attendance Tuesday night in Newberry, S.C. at the first GOP debate of the 2010 election cycle.
We’ll have an “expectations assessment” on that assemblage of intellectual heavyweights soon …
By Suprise September 21, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Suprise, suprise, McMuffin has a huge lead in a poll that he put together. This is hardly news worthy. In fact this just in I put a poll together. I am leading 100% to nill versus the five other candidates.
By Leader of the PACK September 21, 2009 at 7:07 pm
“Obviously, this is polling data that should be taken with an ocean of salt – as we’ve noted in the past. Any internal polling is automatically suspicious, and we’d encourage our readers to reserve judgment until a truly independent poll is conducted.”
What a FLUFF piece! We have done our own polling and don’t see anything near the results of our friends shown here. I don’t want to spoil the hype RQ&A are trying to present before the debate, but if they have to resort to this they are in more trouble than expected this early in the game.
By Mac Attack September 21, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Call it the Peeler effect…The AG will go in strong, not quite get to the 50% plus 1 category and say something “off the wall” and lose the runoff.
By Rylyn September 21, 2009 at 8:13 pm
And I’m sure you expected McMaster’s Campaign firm affliates to say Bauer or Barrett were leading? If slow Republicans are smarter than that. Was it ever decided if he gets to use the $$ in his Attorney General Campaign fund for his Governor’s race?
By fitsnews September 21, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Sheesh … what part of “ocean of salt” do you people not get?
-FITS
By Strom's Daughter September 21, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Andre Bauer going down?
Is he going down on Nikki?
Oh, wait . . .
Nevermind.
By Matt September 21, 2009 at 9:35 pm
This from the people who are concerned enough to be farming out talent to run Larry Grooms’ campaign in order to shave off some Nikki Haley voters. So yes, RQ&A is pushing what amounts to a bogus poll to help do what you said–move some undecided money to McMaster.
Plus any 2010 poll of voters at this point in the game needs to be measured against a poll of name ID. Bauer and McMaster have very high statewide name ID which makes their numbers less than impressive even in this bogus poll.
By rebel September 21, 2009 at 10:25 pm
So where’s the guy who follows the elephants with the shovel to scoop up all the shit? Oh yeah, that would be the taxpayer.
By Cameron Stanley September 21, 2009 at 10:33 pm
And this blog goes to the highest bidder. Take a look around. See any Bauer, Haley, Barrett or Grooms ads on FITSNEWS.com? Yeah me either. Sure Sic Willie will pop McMaster every now and again but when the boys over at Richard Quinn & Associates need someone to pimp out their newest “poll” they know they can get Willie to do it for a price.
So blogs throw in extra banner ads with their advertising specials… Will kicks in friendly content as an added bonus.
On the credibility scale, FITSNEWS is quickly sliding towards the Palmetto Scoop end of the spectrum.
So sad because the guy is pretty clever but hey, I guess everyone has to eat.
By Happy Go Lucky September 21, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Unprecedented! It’s nine months until the primary and 100% of primary voters have made up their minds according to the latest poll from RQA.
Yeah right.
By The Artist Formerly Known As Gov. Beasley September 21, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Ask David Beasley what he thinks about RQA’s polling.
They convinced him to get in the race against DeMint and he got DeMolished.
Remember? RQA had Beasley up by a boatload according to their internal polling. Sounds like McMaster is on a sinking ship and plugging the holes with fake polls is the only way the SS McMaster will stay afloat.
By beentook2 September 22, 2009 at 12:05 am
Unbelievable that the polls have Little Cisco at 21%. Just last week the Hungarians had him 100% and reported he tasted like ocean salt.
By Mike Reino September 22, 2009 at 12:38 am
Gotta love those internal polls. Reminds me of the Summer of 2007, when we had Rudy up with about 40% of the vote in SC…. Kinda like Superbad – ‘Hey, McMuffin, you’re not so tough without your pollster friends around, are ya?’
By Fred September 22, 2009 at 6:28 am
Bauer has been a greedy little bitch yelping at the hills of Sanford. Normal people see that, and dislike it.
By Toyota Kawaski September 22, 2009 at 9:03 am
Did Man-d write this?
By Barney Fife September 22, 2009 at 9:37 am
What a bunch of crap. McMaster has statewide name id. So, does Bauer. I am surprised that Bauer didn’t do better, but I think he has been hurt by all the negative press.
Barrett is going to be the winner. When people get to really know Henry, they will see the light. He will crash and burn. And this race will not be like the AG race 6 years ago. There will be lots of money to spend to knock McMaster down. Nothing has been spent on him yet. Let’s also not forget, he spent big money on TV a few weeks ago. What a bunch of boneheads.
Anyway, Barrett will be our nominee.
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By Workin' Tommy C September 22, 2009 at 12:57 pm
If McMaster wins the runoff, I’ll be voting Democrat as a protest vote.
He is such a crook, it makes my brain itch to think of him making Governor as if he’s getting a “promotion” or “reward” for all his years of “public” service.