Ritter takes double-digit lead in CO governor race

http://tinyurl.com/hkjgb


DENVER - Democrat Bill Ritter has a ten point lead over Republican Bob Beauprez in a new 9NEWS poll conducted by Survey USA in the race to become Colorado's next governor.

The former Denver District Attorney received the support of 50 percent of those surveyed. The 7th District Congressman had 40 percent of those quizzed. Libertarian candidate Dawn Winkler gathered three percent in the poll and seven percent were undecided.

There are nearly 170,000 more registered Republican voters (1,050,766) in Colorado than Democrats (880,627). There are 985,489 unaffiliated voters in the state as of July 14, according to the Colorado Secretary of State's office.

The poll numbers worry at least one Republican political consultant who sees them as reflective of President Bush's poor approval ratings in the state. "I think what we're seeing right now is their opposition of George Bush rather than their opposition of Bob Beauprez or Bill Ritter," said Katy Atkinson, who is supporting Beauprez. "I think what the voters are telling us is that people who normally vote Republican are willing to consider a Democrat this year and aren't very happy with what's going on in Washington."

It was a few days ago.

She's ignoring the fact that that's a relatively recent phenomenon in Colorado. Historically, our voters tend to be in the middle and sometimes vote Republican, sometimes Democratic.

Her analysis could be correct, but it could also be part of a longer-term trend - a swing back toward the middle or even toward the Democrats.

Keep on Naderizing the Repugs, guys. You'll win an election someday... honest!