For the last few weeks, Kos has been showing interest in polling Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, where there have been continued whispers of an opportunity for a Democratic pick-up in the race between incumbent Congressman Lee Terry and Omaha State Senator Tom White. Today, the first and only polling in the race shows that Kos’ instincts were correct - we have a serious race on our hands.
According to Wiese Associates, polling on behalf of the Omaha World-Herald, Terry is leading White among registered voters only 44 – 39% with a 4 point margin of error. In this same poll, conducted Oct. 17 - 21, 30% say they are "neutral" in their opinion of White and another 14% say they still have "no idea" who he is. That means Democrats have enormous opportunity but also A LOT of work to do.
Heading into October, Terry only led White in cash-on-hand by $23,000 ($292,000 to $269,000). White has been on the air that entire time, and it’s clear his message is getting through to voters. But, we all know how much money is waiting to be poured into this race from the likes of Karl Rove and the U.S. Chamber. Tom White can only win if we help him fight back!
After six terms in Congress, Republican Lee Terry has seen a steady deterioration of support in each of the last three elections, winning his closest race yet with just 52% of the vote in 2008 against a 32 year-old challenger who’d never held elected office. That was also the year NE-02 voted for a Democratic President for the first time since 1964.
This year, Terry faces the toughest Democratic opponent he’s ever faced in Tom White. The conventional wisdom in this race has said that Terry will probably survive another close election because of the political climate. Until the last week or so, that's generally kept this race off the national radar. But, we can prove the experts in the mainstream media wrong. This poll proves it.
Only 38% of registered voters have a favorable opinion of Lee Terry after he's represented them in Congress for a dozen years. But, we have to get our message out. Tom White can't win this race without our help!
Winning this race will send a powerful message from the very heart of America that voters don't want our country to move backwards. White is a proven leader and a true fighter running against a partisan backbencher who can't claim a single significant accomplishment. Terry is absolutely begging to be beat - THIS YEAR in THIS ELECTION by THIS DEMOCRAT.
Let's make it happen!