New poll shows governor's race close

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Sep 19, 2008 at 10:47 AM EST

Story Updated: Sep 19, 2008 at 10:47 AM EST

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A new statewide poll shows a close race between Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and Democratic challenger Jill Long Thompson.

The Indianapolis Star-WTHR poll released Thursday night found 46 percent of likely voters supported Daniels while 42 percent favored Long Thompson. The difference matched the poll's margin of error of four percentage points.

The poll was a telephone survey of 600 likely voters conducted Sunday through Tuesday by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines, Iowa.

Pollster J. Ann Selzer said the closeness of the governor's race can be attributed largely to a tight race for president in Indiana. A Star/WTHR poll released Wednesday showed 47 percent supported Democrat Barack Obama while 44 percent favored Republican John McCain.

"Indiana has been a red state on the presidential level for decades, but you've also had Democratic governors and senators, and now you've got a strong movement at the national level with a Democratic presidential candidate who is bringing in new voters," she said.

"I would expect there to be some coattails, and the closeness of the race for governor we're showing probably represents some of that."

Daniels' campaign suggested the governor has a greater lead than the poll suggests.

"It's not consistent with the last four polls I've seen and reviewed," said Eric Holcomb, Daniels' campaign manager. "The fact of the matter is it won't change one iota of how we approach this campaign."

Long Thompson campaign spokesman Jeff Harris said the poll affirms their belief that Daniels is vulnerable despite a substantial fundraising lead.

"This is exactly in line with our internal polls and what we've been saying all along," Harris said. "This is just more proof that people aren't happy with the leadership of Governor Daniels. They're looking for a change."

However, the poll found that 56 percent of likely voters said they approve of the job Daniels is doing.

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