It’s no secret that supporters of Brian Moran did not take kindly to the recent Survey USA poll that showed Terry McAuliffe 16 points ahead, far outside any reasonable margin of error. A double digit lead in a poll is never easy to take, but this poll was somewhat successfully downplayed as not being as significant as previous polling conducted by Public Policy Polling, which run three prior polls ahead of Survey USA showing Moran and McAuliffe within 4 points at all times, with Moran leading in late March.

Yesterday, Public Policy Polling released it’s latest results, giving a boost to Terry McAuliffe supporters who had rallied behind the 16 point Survey USA lead. The latest PPP poll showed McAuliffe ahead of Brian Moran by 10 points, 30% to 20%, and 16 points ahead of the third contender for the nomination, Creigh Deeds, who came in at 14%. From the first PPP poll to the last, McAuliffe has gained 12 points, Moran 2, and Deeds 3.

All indicators show that something significant needs to happen in order for Brian Moran to shift likely primary voters in his direction, and while polling may not fairly represent who will actually turn out on June 9th for the election, with the exception of Northern Virginia, Terry McAuliffe is leading throughout the state, especially with younger voters and African Americans.

In response to the PPP release, Brian Moran’s campaign released internal polling results showing Terry McAuliffe leading by 2 points at 31% to Moran at 29%, within the margin of error. This poll is also friendlier to Creigh Deeds, showing him at 18%.

Yesterday, I made a few phone calls from Brian Moran’s Virginia Beach office and talked to a guy who had supported Governor Tim Kaine’s campaign. He told me he wasn’t following the primary very closely, but he knew that he didn’t like Terry McAuliffe. He then encouraged Brian Moran’s campaign to get his name and record out there so rational people can make an informed decision. I told him we were trying.

It’s an uphill battle that, admittedly, hasn’t been all sunshine and roses. With millions of dollars being spent by Terry McAuliffe on television and radio adds, it’s been difficult for both Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds to keep up. Combined, they’ve been significantly out raised by McAuliffe, and are being outspent at the same time. To counter, Moran’s campaign (along with the Washington Post) have been trying to clarify McAuliffe’s record along the way, hoping that his well produced television ads aren’t the only thing voters know about McAuliffe heading into the voting booth.

There has been a massive outcry by McAuliffe and his supporters that Moran’s running a negative campaign against McAuliffe, and doesn’t ever talk about his own record. In response, Moran’s campaign have launched 30 Days and 30 Reasons Why Brian, which will post and send out aspects of Moran’s record and his positions on important issues facing Virginia every day. Of course, McAuliffe supporters like this one are going to “fact check” these releases and clarify Moran’s record for voters. I wonder if they would be offended if I called their “fact checks” negative attacks against Moran? Pot meet Kettle?

The question is; where do we go from here? Is it time for Moran’s supporters to give a financial boost to the campain to push through the this final month before the primary election? Beyond releasing their internals, I’m looking to Moran’s campaign for any signs of taking the campaign up a notch and really making May count.

No related posts.