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Poll: Presidential race in Colorado a 'dead heat'

West called region that has major voice in election

Mary Voelz Chandler

Published August 25, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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On the eve of the Democratic National Convention, a new poll shows that the presidential contenders are in a "dead heat" to lock in Colorado voters.

At 47 percent to 46 percent, Republican Sen. John McCain has a 1 percentage point edge over Sen. Barack Obama, according to results released Sunday by Quinnipiac University.

The poll surveyed 1,060 Colorado likely voters from Aug. 15 through 21, or before Obama's announcement of a running mate. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points, making the race a statistical tie.

The results indicate a slight shift from the last Quinnipiac poll, released July 24, in which McCain took the lead over Obama 46 percent to 44 percent. In the new survey, McCain moved ahead in terms of how favorably voters view him, 53 percent to 34 percent, vs. Obama's 48 percent favorable against 39 percent unfavorable.

"The Rocky Mountain West clearly has much, much more to say in this election than ever before," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

The poll breaks out Anglo and Hispanic voters but not black voters because of the small number living in Colorado.

Polls still do not sway the chairwoman of the Colorado Democratic Party.

"Every day I see a different poll, and the question is how well it reflects the electorate," Pat Waak said Sunday, adding she was concerned that the influx of supporters with cell phones might not be among those surveyed.

The McCain camp expressed pleasure. "After looking at the poll, we're encouraged, but this is a dead heat and there's absolutely no doubt that Colorado is a battleground state," said Tom Kise, communications director for McCain in this region.

Consultant Floyd Ciruli of Ciruli & Associates echoed phrases that have become a mantra.

"This confirms what we've known all along: that Colorado is a battleground state," said Ciruli. "What you've got here in terms of who is ahead is essentially a dead heat."

Comments

  • August 25, 2008

    8:35 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dirtt writes:

    Well Colorado. If you are looking for clarity you're not going to get it.

    Until we have clarity, transparancy and FULL disclosure about Hurricane Freddie and Hurricane Fannie (and Tropical Depression Countrywide) this country CAN NOT MOVE FORWARD.

    Who took soft money from these crack-dealers? Ask your congressional reps how they voted on the 2006 bill to appoint a new regulator to oversee the crack-dealers who were running the GSE's? The billed failed and now housing is dead.

    Why aren't they prosecuting Jamie Gorlick and Frank Raines? And who can THEY implicate?

    NOTHING will come from this (or the RNC convention) until we get answers and HEADS ROLL. Wake up America. Hard to believe you aren't revolted by this!!!

  • August 25, 2008

    1:50 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mayor_Quimby writes:

    Obama will continue to slide as people begin to see him as the fraud that he is.

  • August 25, 2008

    6:10 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    deerman writes:

    Who has been in power for eight years? The republicans have and the economy is in bad shape. How can anybody vote in another republican to add four more years to this bad economy. McCain offers no solution to this economic downturn. Look at how much better Colorado is with a democrat in charge. He has attracted good paying jobs to the state and understands we are in a "new" economy that requires a change in our approach. Vot for positive change...vote democratic.

  • August 27, 2008

    4:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    buffsblg writes:

    Tell me gecko, how is it optimistic that a state that has consistently voted Republican for president is a dead heat after McCain and his anonymous PAC supporters have spent millions on attack ads here. Every penny spent to keep Colorado Republican is a penny not spent in Florida or Ohio. If McCain has to spend like crazy to hold states, he probably should be a bit worried.

  • August 27, 2008

    9:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Father writes:

    Ol' ten-house McCain is no doubt the ludicious economic fraud that defines maverick as a McBushie 95 % of the time. Not exactly the change this aging and recycled myth was hoping we would discover about him.