* A new Reboot Illinois/We Ask America poll has Bruce Rauner leading Gov. Pat Quinn by eight and a half points, 45.5-37 with 7 percent going to Libertarian Chad Grimm. That’s down from Rauner’s 14-point lead in late July’s poll. Grimm may be having an impact here.

For the first time in a very long time (if ever) in a We Ask America poll, Quinn is actually leading Rauner in suburban Cook County, albeit by just a half a point, with Grimm taking 5 points. But Quinn is still getting slaughtered among self-identified independents 47-29. Rauner is stomping Quinn 57-32-6 in the collars and 52-24-9 Downstate.

* But the immediate problem for the governor is Democrats…

Compare that to Rauner’s showing with Republicans…

* Another problem he absolutely has to deal with is women…

Men tend to vote Republican, even in this state. If you’re a Democrat, you have to win the female vote. Period.

* From the pollster…

“As I’ve seen in other polls recently, the race for governor is tightening up,” said We Ask America Chief Operating Officer Gregg Durham. “Undoubtedly, the presence of a Libertarian candidate gives voters who aren’t happy with their choices an outlet for their frustration, and it appears to be hurting Rauner more than Quinn. Nearly 12 percent of the self-described independents chose Grimm; a situation that probably won’t last…but where will they end up?”

* Methodology…

This Reboot Illinois copyrighted poll asked respondents, “If the election for governor were held today, would you vote for Democrat Pat Quinn, Republican Bruce Rauner, or Libertarian Chad Grimm?” The poll is based on automated phone calls with a random sample of 1,064 likely Illinois voters statewide. The poll, conducted by We Ask America on Sept 2., 2014, has a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points. 29% of responses are from cell phone contacts.Party split of respondents: 35% Democrats, 27% Republicans, 38% Independents

       

30 Comments - Almost the Weekend - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 9:38 am: So this is a one day poll, and the 14 point lead is basically cut in half because the Libertarian candidate took the other seven points. Better yet the Libertarian candidate is receiving more support from Democratic voters than Republican voters. Keep up the good work We Ask America! - Watch the clown - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 9:42 am: A one-day, automated poll….I’d guess the margin of error is a bit higher. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 9:46 am: We already see how this can end because we all know how well third parties fade on Election Day. Over half of the fade goes to the challenger. Rauner needs to hold on until October, then Quinn’s legal problems will hit the news broadcasts. Quinn needs to be up by 5% so he can still lose support during October and hang on somehow. If he is still behind like this in a month, he can lose - big. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 9:47 am: If Quinn is moving the needle in suburban Cook, it ain’t over. - anon - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 9:53 am: You see a problem, I see a solution. Lots of Democrats to bring home, and I believe that they will come home to Quinn. Also, I believe that 12% of dems currently supporting Rauner will shrink significantly. PQ needs to turn out the plusses. - A guy... - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 9:57 am: === wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 9:47 am: If Quinn is moving the needle in suburban Cook, it ain’t over.==== This observation is true, however that’s where the sample in the cross tabs has to really be looked at. Suburban Cook is the most diverse category in the state. Gotta look harder at this one going forward. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 10:03 am: === PQ needs to turn out the plusses. === Um, first he’s gotta turn them around from being zeroes or minuses. - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 10:07 am: I think Democrats will come home, there just isn’t a lot to be excited about now and the polling shows it. The problem won’t be winning 90+% of Dems, it will be whether enough Dems turn out to vote. The lack of enthusiasm is a big, big problem for Quinn. And there is no path to victory for Quinn without winning a strong majoriuty of women. Much more than the Democrats in this poll, Quinn needs to target his messaging to women. And it needs to be powerful. - Bruce (No not him) - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 10:09 am: I received a call from the AFL - last night asking who I was voting for in the governor’s race, Quinn or Rauner. I said neither one. Her reply was “OK, undecided. ” “nope neither one of them.” Guess they don’t even acknowledge the 3rd party. - Bruce (No not him) - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 10:09 am: Oops. Afl-cio - A guy... - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 10:10 am: 47, you’re correct. I don’t think they’ve left home, but I do think they’re considering staying home. - Apocalypse Now - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 10:13 am: Lack of enthusiasm = poor Democratic performance this fall. Seeing it across the board. - Cassiopeia - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 10:14 am: It’s hard to spin this as good news for Quinn. He has a pretty solid hold on about 40% in both support and whether he’s doing a good job. The other 60% are not with him. This has not moved much all year. It’s hard for people to suddenly think you are competent to continue when you are seen as a failure after 6 years. - walker - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 10:41 am: Surprised at the Cook Co suburbs result. I feel it moving Rauner’s way — but of course I’m no pollster. Rauner’s best ad mesaages that neighbors bring up: “Mrs. Rauner seems nice”, and “He promises to freeze our property taxes”. Most commented upon Quinn ad: Cayman Islands and Outsourcing Rauner. - Nonplussed - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 11:05 am: Automated calls? Only 29% cell? Crap poll - A guy... - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 11:15 am: NP, you aren’t paying attention are you? - Amalia - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 11:23 am: i’m thinking of 1982. the base that had to be encouraged was in the African American community. and turn out it did, to the point where I recall working a precinct with a huge line waiting to vote past 7 pm. that governor’s race was oh so clods. however, this turnout worked against Mayor Byrne as it trained the community to come out. which they did for Harold Washington. - Amalia - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 11:24 am: close….. - downstate hack - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 12:40 pm: Still believe this race is closer than people think. I don’t necessarily believe the Grimm vote comes mostly from the Rauner group, and many of them are anti choice votes that may return to Quinn. - 9 miles of bad road - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 12:51 pm: Yes, the women vote is the key and they’re much more tuned into environmental issues. Arguably the primary environmental issue in IL is fracking, and there’s little space between Quinn and Rauner on policy. Earlier downstate poll crosstabs show women, especially democrat women, breaking against fracking. With science and news reports since fracking adoption, and new IDNR fracking rules with little enforcement, if Quinn is looking to be dramatic he would call for a moratorium (along with a mother and child in a TV commercial). - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 12:52 pm: ===new IDNR fracking rules with little enforcement=== LOL - Demoralized - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 1:02 pm: ==Arguably the primary environmental issue in IL is fracking== Yeah, that’s the issue that’s swinging this election. ==if Quinn is looking to be dramatic he would call for a moratorium== Insanity knows no bounds. ==new IDNR fracking rules with little enforcement== Clairvoyant now? There aren’t any rules to enforce yet. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 1:05 pm: From my perspective, I’d say Quinn is about as popular with the green base as he is with the union members. Most will hold their nose and vote for Quinn, if they vote for him at all. - Jechislo - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 1:35 pm: I think Quinn is in BIG trouble. Still going to be a real squeaker for whoever wins. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 1:53 pm: Vanillaman: Do not bet on Chad Grimm “fading.” These voters are saying they are so fed up with the two major party nominees that they would vote for Elmer Fudd or Yosemite Sam. By November, more are going to be even more fed up, I bet. Although whether they actually vote for Grimm or stay home is anyone’s bet. - reggieandtfe - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 1:58 pm: I wouldn’t bet on Grimm fading either. I remember a certain “Rich Whitey” (spelling joke) getting over 10% as a third party candidate for IL governor. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 2:48 pm: If Elmer Fudd or Yosemite Sam were on the ballot, I can see how they could be a factor. However, I believe the chances of that happening with the Libertarians this year in this race, is rather - uh, Grimm. - 9 miles of bad road - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 4:34 pm: Rich Miller: No, its the proposed IDNR fracking enforcement regime that’s the joke. I realize this isn’t a “fracking” thread, but read the new rules. Maximum fine (after 4 violations) $50,000. That’s 1% of the average investment of a frack site (source: IDNR) and well within the cost of doing business. IDNR doesn’t have the staffing capacity and training is still an open question. IDNR (and IEPA) are pretty well known as captured agencies, that won’t change with these rules. - Stones - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 5:37 pm: My opinion only but Mrs. Rauner is a huge asset to her husbands campaign. A big reason he is doing well with women. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 9:51 pm: Vanillaman: Rauner is pro-choice. He thumbed his nose at the NRA. He wants to raise taxes. You don’t understand the TEA Party if you think they are all just going to “come home” for the election. Some, maybe. But I bet the eight percent grows between now and November as the race becomes more negative. Now Rich is right that Whitney wasn’t a factor in 2006 because the race was never that close. If it had been much closer, I don’t know if I would have voted for Topinka or Rod, but definitely not Whitney. Here’s the rub: liberal Democrats find it much easier to vote for a candidate who does not check all of our boxes than Republicans do, which is why there will never be a liberal version of the TEA Party. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.