Political wire notes a new poll showing Stephanie Herseth's 29 point lead over challenger Diedrich narrowing to 16 points. Diedrich is claiming that hes gaining on Herseth. To me this sounds inevitable as his name recognition increases. After all, did anyone think she was going to win by 29 points?
From the Rapid City Journal:
A new poll shows Republican Larry Diedrich closing in on Democrat Stephanie Herseth in South Dakota's U.S. House race, Diedrich said Friday...
A February media poll showed Herseth with a 29-point lead, and another media poll conducted at the end of March showed her lead at 16 points. Diedrich told the Rapid City Journal that he has been able to cut Herseth's lead almost in half during April. But campaign officials also said they had internal numbers at the end of March that showed a gap wider than 16 points.
However, Deidrich may be blowing smoke. Note:
The Diedrich campaign is not releasing specifics from the poll, Diedrich spokeswoman Danielle Holland said
Meanwhile Herseth claims Diedrich is push polling and argues that this tightening was expected (which it was):
Asked about the new poll numbers, Herseth said Friday: "That is what you would expect when they're doing negative push polling and sending out direct mail. I never expected to hold on to a double-digit lead. Given the voter registration disadvantage, I feel good. I'm still leading in the polls."
A pet political scientist goes on to explain what most of us should know; that in any race between a better known and less known candidate it will take time for the lesser one to gain name recognition and raise to the standing in the polls that accurately reflects the number of voters who would support him if they knew who he was...
So, nothing to see here, but just thought I'd point it out nonetheless. Apologies for mangling the song...