Connecticut Local Politics

Well, what else do you call a campaign visit that is this brief and under the radar?  Republican Presidential candidate John McCain of Arizona is making a brief swing through our fine state today…  a visit to Westport and a fundraiser at the Belle Haven Club in Greenwich.

It’s a little early to say difinitively how well McCain will do against Hillary Clinton in November (Mua ha ha! Sorry if I just upset you Obama fans) in Connecticut, but we know Connecticut is not a vote-rich place; neither popular or electoral votes are plentiful here.  But while we may not be vote-rich, we are rich-rich.  And McCain was here for campaign cash.

So what about the likelihood of Connecticut being competitive in November?  The March 27th Q Poll found that a matchup between Obama and McCain in this state went handily to Obama.  However, it was a different story against Hillary.

When Clinton faces McCain, independent voters go to the Republican 48 – 36 percent, while young voters back her 50 – 39 percent. Men back McCain 52 – 37 percent, while women back Clinton 53 – 33 percent. 
  

The majority of those Connecticut residents polled felt McCain would be a good president:

McCain would be a good president, voters say 51 – 35 percent, as 48 percent cite his experience and 22 percent point to his military background. His stand on the war in Iraq is his weakest point, 53 percent say, while 29 percent cite his loyalty to the Republican Party and President George W. Bush. 

There’s a long time between now and November.  McCain may very well prove to make Connecticut more competitive by then than conventional wisdom originally declared.

Source: “McCain Visits Westport Hedge Fund Today.” Westport Today. 9 April 2008. Cassidy, Martin B. “McCain Seeks Money In Town.” Greenwich Time. 9 April 2008.Quinnipiac University Poll.  27 March 2008