June 07, 2006
The Big Number: 73
Every day, we'll highlight one poll number that we think teaches us something new about the political landscape. Today's big number is 73. That's the percentage of Alaskans who view Gov. Frank Murkowski (R) unfavorably, according to an Ivan Moore Research survey. And, if you'll pardon the pun, when it comes to bad news, that's just the tip of the iceberg. While 20% of AKans view Murkowski favorably, he can't catch a break in his own party: He's currently running third in the GOP primary, trailing '02 LG candidate/ex-Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin (R) and ex-State Sen. John Binkley (R), with 18% to Palin's 44% and Binkley's 27%.
When matched up against presumptive Dem nom/ex-Gov. Tony Knowles (D), Palin trails by just 4 points and holds Knowles to 43%, showing that, while Knowles may be popular, this state is still as red as they come. Betraying his own unpopularity, though, Murkowski receives just 21% against Knowles' 53%, and only finishes slightly ahead of ex-State Rep. Andrew Halcro, who's running as an Indie.
Nothing in this poll can make Murkowski's day. And to add insult to injury, it's summer time, which means his day is extra long -- 18 hours one minute long, to be exact. [REID WILSON]
Posted at 06:31 PM
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