I recently wrote a letter To the Democratic Governors Association appealing for support for
Jim Davis for Governor of Florida. A
new poll shows Davis in almost a virtual dead heat with his Republican opponent.
The really good news for Jim Davis is that the poll shows Davis with the winning positions on the issues. The bad news is that he needs financial support to get this message out.
For more on the poll and my letter, follow me below the fold.
UPDATE: A Mason Dixon poll taken BEFORE Foleygate hit the fan shows Jim Davis in BIG TROUBLE. Davis is STILL not on the air yet, and his opponent, Charlie Crist is opening up a bigger lead. Crist has his own morality issues to deal with which can be exploited if Davis can get on the air. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE. Dems CAN WIN this important Governors race, with your help.
Recently, the Republican Governors Association dropped off a check for $1 million for Charlie Crist, the Republican candidate. Last week, Dumya was in Florida and raised between $1 and $2 million for the Republicans. Now, I know we can not hope to match the R's in the amount raised. But, if we can raise enough to allow Davis top get his message out, we can turn this Republican open Governor's seat blue.
Here are the relevant quotes from the poll:
Republican Charlie Crist leads Democrat Jim Davis by 6 points in the latest South Florida Sun-Sentinel poll on the governor's race, but undecided voters who favor Davis on key issues could drive the contest even closer.
Davis, ..., could make up ground on Crist... by stressing education themes to appeal to undecided "independents," blacks and women, the poll shows. Many of those voters are leaning toward Davis' stance on public school policies.
And many black voters, the poll reveals, are energized by Davis' selection of a lieutenant governor running mate who is black.
"There's no question that this race can tighten, ... said pollster Del Ali. ... "Davis has a lot more room to grow for people to view him favorably," Ali said.
The statewide telephone survey of 600 likely voters was conducted Sept. 18-20 for the Sun-Sentinel and Florida Times Union by Maryland-based Research 2000. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.
Even more important for Davis, independents, blacks and women all are indicating they are more compatible with Democrats when it comes to education policies, which voters overwhelmingly say is their top concern for the state. ... More than a third of the independents agree with Davis in saying that Florida isn't spending enough on public schools. And by a 2-to-1 margin, they reject the state's FCAT, the importance of which Davis says he would downgrade.
Anti-incumbency sentiments and opposition to President Bush are high nationwide and could pose a challenge for Crist...
And here is my letter to the DGA:
JIM DAVIS NEDS YOUR HELP
Recently, Governor Mitt Romney (R- MA) came to our state capitol bearing a gift for the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF). Romney delivered a $1 million check to the RPOF to help elect Republican nominee Charlie Crist governor of Florida. Jim Davis needs to see similar support from the DGA.
The winds of change are blowing with hurricane force throughout Florida. Facing rising property taxes, skyrocketing insurance premiums and a failed public education system, the people of Florida are looking for new, independent leadership. Charlie Crist's message is essentially "stay the course". In the Republican primary, both Republican candidates were falling all over themselves claiming to be the rightful heir to Jeb Bush. That is not a message for change.
A recent poll conducted for the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel show the race at almost a virtual tie. Jim Davis is trailing Charlie Crist by 6 points with a margin of error of 4. But the better news is that the issues are on the side of Jim Davis. With education as the lead issue, voters are indicating they want change and Jim Davis is the candidate that offers that change. Voters in Florida are fed up with rising property taxes and skyrocketing insurance premiums as well.
All this bodes very well for Jim Davis, but only if he can get that message for change out to the voters. Besides the $1 million check from the RGA, President Bush was in Florida this week and raised between $1 and $2 million for Crist. Jim Davis can win this election if he gets the financial support necessary to compete.
Jim Davis has energized the African American community with his historic selection of former State Senator Daryl Jones as his Lt. Governor running mate. Jones is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy, a former fighter pilot, and is currently a Colonel in the Air Force Reserves. Besides energizing the African American community, the choice of a man with a distinguished military background is going to draw some military voters in North Florida who would otherwise be voting Republican. With the Davis / Jones ticket drawing more votes than normal from the North Florida Republican stronghold, and an energized African American community is South Florida (Jones is also from Miami), this is a great chance to add a Governorship to the Blue column. But this is in jeopardy if the needed financial support is not forthcoming.
Please do not write off this race. The Democrats have a very real chance to win this race. Please help us with the financial support necessary to pull this off.
Thank you.