5 percent
BURRIS IN 2010? | Senator gets trounced by Giannoulias, Hynes in early poll of likely Dem voters
SPRINGFIELD -- Sen. Roland Burris' statewide support seemingly has dwindled as criticism over his appointment grows -- a sentiment highlighted by a poll released Monday that showed Burris pulling about five percent of the vote.
In the first poll to weigh Illinois' 2010 marquee primary races, the Zogby International poll suggested Burris could face overwhelming odds if he chooses to defend his seat. Only 5.3 percent of likely Democratic voters said they would cast their ballot for the embattled senator, putting him far behind Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Comptroller Dan Hynes, who collected 28.1 and 26.8 percent, respectively.
(Sun-Times/AP)
Attorney General Lisa Madigan fared favorably in the Democratic race for governor in 2010 as she took in 41 percent of the vote while Gov. Pat Quinn clocked in at 29.5 percent.
More shocking, perhaps, was how little support Burris garnered.
"There is no question that newly appointed Sen. Roland Burris has been sorely hurt and can't survive," John Zogby, president of Zogby International, said.
Burris's media and political consultant, Delmarie Cobb, said early polls can be deceiving. She pointed out the fact Burris led in some early name-recognition polls before the 2002 gubernatorial race, while eventual winner Rod Blagojevich trailed.
"I think once we get past all this negative coverage and get on to Roland's record, it will change," said Cobb, who called the poll "skewed." "Roland has done far more than Dan Hynes and Giannoulias put together, in terms of record."
Burris has not yet determined if he will run in 2010. He was appointed in December by then-Gov Blagojevich, who was shortly after impeached and booted from office. Burris himself has come under fire after his evolving story regarding how Blagojevich appointed him contradicted his sworn testimony.
Pollsters also found Illinoisans strongly opposed any tax increase to offset the state's $9 billion budget deficit. About three-fourths of those polled were against a jump in the income tax while six of every seven people polled opposed expanding the state's sales tax.
Zogby polled 644 likely voters online regarding the 2010 senatorial race and the 2010 gubernatorial race, as well as issues such as tax hikes and the state's priorities. The poll, commissioned by the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois, was conducted from Feb. 20 through Feb. 23 and comes with a 3.9 percentage point margin of error.