At this point, I wouldn’t put too much stock in any poll for a November 2012 matchup, least of all House races. But a poll about a new member of Congress might be useful to get a sense of what kind of a first impression he’s making with his new constituents.
With that in mind, Allen West fans, enjoy:
A very early poll indicates that South Florida’s blunt-spoken Republican Congressman Allen West, a tea party darling, is favored by likely voters over his most prominent Democratic opponent Lois Frankel.
Viewpoint Florida, a public-opinion research firm that conducts automated phone polls, says a sample of voters favored West over Frankel by 53 percent to 38 percent, with 8 percent unsure.
West led the poll because he got overwhelming support — 83 percent — from Republican voters while only 69 percent of Democrats favored Frankel. Independent voters were split 45 percent to 45 percent.
Perhaps more telling:
Some 50 percent of the sample had a favorable impression of West, while 36 percent had an unfavorable impression. Only 28 percent had a favorable rating of Frankel, while 36 percent viewed her unfavorably.
A lot will happen in Florida and in the country between now and November 2012. But at least for now, West has started on the right foot.