There is some talk that one shouldn't put too much weight on the just-released Rasmussen Poll on the Oregon governor's race. But while there's something to that, the poll does suggests some points worth bearing in mind.
First, the poll results, then qualifiers and thoughts.
The poll - apparently the first of one-a-month measures expected from here to November - does not measure the primary contests, only how two of the Democrats and three of the Republicans would match up against each other in a hypothetical general election.
Overall, incumbent Democrat Ted Kulongoski comes off pretty well. He defeats all three Republicans by clear margins: Kevin Mannix by 51%-36% (15-point lead), Ron Saxton by 47%-33% (13-point lead) and Jason Atkinson by 48%-36% (a 12-point lead).
Former Treasurer Jim Hill, challenging Kulongoski in the Democratic primary, does more or less as well: He beats Mannix 47%-35% (12 points), Saxton 44%-31% (13 points) and Atkinson 42%-36% (six points).
What can we reasonably draw from this? (more…)