In a year in which âincumbentâ is a dirty word, so-called Washington insiders like District 2â˛s Rep. Allen Boyd, a Democrat, have their work cut out for them.
Last week, a poll predicted a considerably easy win for Boydâs opponent, Republican Steve Southerland, a funeral home director with no political experience. A new poll, released by The Hill and conducted by polling firm Penn Schoen Berland, predicts a similar fate for Boyd and says the midterm elections could be a âblowoutâ for Republicans wishing to gain control of the House.
From The Hillâs piece detailing the results of the poll:
Pollster Stuart Rothenberg wrote Tuesday that Democrats face the potential of âa political bloodbath the size of which we havenât seen since the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.â âŚ
The deficits facing some longtime Democratic incumbents, who have spent most of their careers relatively safe from electoral peril, are striking â a reflection of just how deeply the anti-incumbent sentiment runs this election year.
Longtime Reps. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.), Chet Edwards (D-Texas) and John Spratt (D-S.C.) are all down by double digits, and each is polling at 40 percent or below. The three have held their congressional seats for 14, 20 and 28 years, respectively.
According to the poll, Boydâs favorability ratings are strikingly low: 54 percent of voters gave him unfavorable marks, while only 34 percent rated him as favorable.
Democratically aligned PACs have worked hard to lessen the gap between the two, but thus far, it doesnât seem to be working. Southerland hasnât received even half of Boydâs campaign donations, but has received endorsements from tea party favorite Sarah Palin and House GOP leader John Boehner:
Southerland has benefited from Tea Party ties. Heâs criticized Boyd for voting for the healthcare bill and tried to tie him to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) â a tactic that could be working, as 52 percent of voters said Boydâs time in Washington was a reason to vote against him. Southerland has been endorsed by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and House GOP leader John Boehner (Ohio) campaigned for him in Florida.
