MA Democratic Governor Primary Tightens: In a Democratic Primary for Governor of Massachusetts today, 8/3/06, Deval Patrick edges Chris Gabrieli and Tom Reilly, according to a SurveyUSA poll of 479 Likely Massachusetts Democratic Primary Voters, conducted exclusively for WBZ-TV Boston. Today, 47 days to the 9/19/06 Primary, Patrick gets 35%, Gabrieli 30%, Reilly 27%. In an identical SurveyUSA WBZ-TV poll released 3 weeks ago, on 7/12/06, Patrick led by 10. Today he leads by 5. Gabrieli has gained ground among voters age 35 to 49, who make up one-quarter of the electorate, and among Independents, who make-up 30% of the likely primary voters in SurveyUSA's turnout model. Though self-identified Conservatives make-up just 11% of likely primary voters, Gabrieli has consolidated support among this group, now getting 52% of Conservatives votes, up from 34% in SurveyUSA's most recent poll. The 3 candidates are effectively tied among Moderates. Patrick leads by 2:1 among Liberals. With 8 points separating the three candidates, and considerable volatility among certain demographic groups, any outcome remains possible. |