Minnesota Lawyer
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Staff photos: Peter Bartz-Gallagher)
A new survey shows both Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann may have done considerable damage to their political popularity in Minnesota during their run for the 2012 GOP nomination.
But for one high-profile lawmaker still certain to be on the ballot this fall, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the survey shows her positioned as “close to unbeatable,” according to the analysis.
In a poll out Tuesday from Public Policy Polling, Pawlenty and Bachmann both have slipped in popularity from previous surveys. Bachmann has just 34 percent statewide favorability, compared with 57 percent of voters viewing her negatively. A similar proportion (57 percent) think she should not run for office again this November.
Pawlenty’s numbers are also upside down: His favorability sits at 39 percent, while 50 percent view him negatively. Just 39 percent say they would back him in a statewide election, while 51 percent say they would “definitely not.”
For Klobuchar, the story is the opposite. Her approval rating is at 61 percent, with just 28 percent disapproving. According to the PPP analysis, only five sitting senators are more popular. Her approval with independents is close to 60 percent, and nearly a third of Republicans crossed over to lend her support in the poll.
Klobuchar also leads all three of her declared challengers by at least 23 points: 55-32 on Dan Severson, 55-30 on Joe Arwood, and 55-29 on Anthony Hernandez. None of those three candidates have name recognition greater than 20 percent, according to the poll.
In a hypothetical match-up with Pawlenty or Bachmann, Klobuchar also comes out on top. Against Pawlenty, the poll shows her ahead against Pawlenty 54 percent to 39 percent and against Bachmann 58 percent to 35 percent.
For his part, Klobuchar’s counterpart, Sen. Al Franken, remains relatively popular as well, boasting a 49 percent approval rating compared to 39 percent disapproval. He leads both Pawlenty (49 percent to 43 percent) and Bachmann (54 percent to 39 percent) in a hypothetical 2014 a matchup.
The survey, completed earlier this week, included more than 1,200 Minnesotans and has a margin of error of 2.8 percent. See the fuller results here.
