| Continuing a downward trend since early this year, Senator Norm Coleman's approval rating has sunk to 43% according to SurveyUSA tracking polls. 48% of Minnesotans now disapprove of the job Coleman is doing as Senator.
Coleman's campaign manager, Cullen Sheehan has not yet responded to a request for comment sent via email this morning.
Crosstabs were not immediately available, but the Democratic forces hoping to unseat Coleman in 2008 were quick to trumpet the poll's results as proof that Minnesota's voters are ready to replace the incumbent. Mike Ciresi's Communications Director, Leslie Sandberg, issued a statement saying "[w]e are not surprised by the steady decline in Senator Coleman's approval rating. Senator Coleman chooses blind loyalty to President Bush and his failed policies rather than standing up for the people of this state. Coleman?s decline is a result of Minnesotans paying close attention to our elected officials and in Senator Coleman?s case, when he is put to the test of leadership, he fails." Al Franken staffer Andy Barr said "The more Minnesotans learn about Norm Coleman's record of voting in lockstep with President Bush, the less they seem to like him. Minnesotans want a Senator who'll stand up for them, not one who'll stand up for George W. Bush."
Democratic Senate Campaign Committee staffer Matt Miller added in a press release, "No matter how hard he tries to disguise his record with election year rhetoric, this poll shows Minnesotans know the real Norm Coleman and they are ready for a change."
Coleman's job approval numbers peaked in January, when he had a 55% approval rating, and bounced up above 50% in April, after which they have sunk consistently. |
