Sen. Rick Santorum has just sent a memo to Sen. Frist and all Republican senators summarizing results of polling done by the GOP on the issue of judicial filibusters. Here it is, in its entirety:
TO: SENATOR BILL FRIST
FROM: SENATOR RICK SANTORUM
DATE: MAY 19, 2005
RE: COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE ON JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS
The following points are key findings from a recent New Models survey conducted by the Winston Group, May 16-17.
– As a result of the change in the message environment, the debate focus has become centered upon the concept of an up or down vote.
– We have been able to introduce the individual nominees into the debate and personalize this debate to some extent.
– Our message has begun to penetrate. People are beginning to develop awareness that we are simply seeking a fair judicial confirmation process and that this effort is focused on judicial nominees only.
– The Democrats’ argument that the specific nominees are extremists is not successful. Additionally, Democrats are seen as opposing fair votes, and this positioning is not helpful to them.
– Both messages have some difficulty with the electorate, but the Democrats’ message is received less favorably than the Republican message.
– As a result of this debate, both Senate Republicans and Democrats have seen drops in brand images, but Democrats are losing much more ground than we are.
– Over the last month the brand image of Senate Republicans has gone from 52-39 in April to 49-43 now. We have slipped a bit but still maintain a positive image.
– Democrats have slipped farther, going from 51-40 to 46-45, going from a positive image to a neutral image.