A new Siena poll
in New York's 9th Congressional District finds some worrying signs for
Democrats in the special election to replace former Rep. Anthony Weiner
(D-NY).
While both candidates, Republican Robert Turner and
Democrat David Weprin, remain unknown by a plurality of voters -- 49%
and 45%, respectively -- Weprin leads Turner 48% to 42%, a slimmer than
expected margin in a strongly Democratic district. In fact, although 61%
of those polled were Democrats and just 17% were Republicans, Weprin
only receives 61% of the Democratic vote while Turner takes 80% of
Republicans and leads with independents 46% to 42%.
Dave Weigel:
"It's tough to hold a seat when your party's incumbent resigned after
sending pictures of his over-stuffed underwear to women, and Republicans
still have a lock on the 'to hell with these guys' vote. But that can
be mitigated if Weprin runs a predictable campaign and scorches Turner
over entitlement spending. Seventy-two percent of voters oppose Social
Security and Medicare cuts; Turner is doing quite well with them."