Polls buoy potential McConnell challenges

2007-07-26

Source: The Enquirer

Two days after a prominent Kentucky Democrat announced a potential challenge to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, new polling is encouraging McConnell detractors.

The polls show that McConnell, the Senate GOP leader, is out of touch with the nation by continuing to support President Bush and the war in Iraq, his opponents say.

A SurveyUSA poll shows that McConnell's approval rating is at 48 percent while 44 percent of voters disapprove. The poll of 600 Kentucky adults has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percent. It was conducted July 17.

"At a time when Kentuckians are crying out for change, Mitch McConnell is leading one of the most obstructionist parties in the history of the Senate," Matthew Miller, spokesman for Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said in a statement. "This poll shows that as long as Mitch McConnell is carrying out George Bush's agenda and blocking important legislation supported by his constituents, he will find his standing at home in jeopardy."

Meanwhile, a Washington Post-ABC News poll shows 78 percent of Americans think President Bush is not showing enough flexibility to change course in Iraq. The poll also found Bush faces growing opposition on Iraq within his own party, with 55 percent of Republicans saying the president is inflexible.

"Everyone but Sen. McConnell has turned against the Bush policy of endless war," said Americans Against Escalation in Iraq spokeswoman Moira Mack. The Washington-area group opposes the war and has been rallying opposition to McConnell.

"Sen. McConnell is out of touch with Kentucky and the nation on Iraq," Mack said in a statement. "Kentuckians oppose the war. A majority of those within the Republican Party oppose the war. Yet McConnell refuses to allow a vote to bring the war to a safe and responsible end."

McConnell's office refused to comment on the polls.

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