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Politics & Policy

Rasmussen poll finds Franken has some repair work to do on public image

By Cynthia Dizikes | 07/06/09

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In less than a day, Sen.-elect Al Franken will be sworn in as Minnesota’s second U.S. senator. But, according to a new Rasmussen Reports poll released Thursday, it’s clear that the Democrat still has a lot of work to do.

The new national poll shows that 44 percent of voters have an unfavorable view of Franken despite his victory in Minnesota last week.

Meanwhile, 34 percent said that they have a favorable view of the former liberal radio host and comedian.

The poll was conducted July 1 and has a 3-percentage-point margin of error.

Comments (5)

Submitted by karl karlson on July 6, 2009 - 11:02pm.

This is news? what about explaining what the rasmussen poll is? how often do they do one? and who cares?
KJK

Submitted by Eric Ferguson on July 6, 2009 - 11:59pm.

Why would a senator care about a national poll? Are there any such polls of any other members of Congress, aside from Reid and Pelosi? I expect most members of Congress couldn't care less about their approval outside their state or district.

Submitted by William Pappas on July 7, 2009 - 6:23am.

Of course Franken has repair work to do on his image. With doctored photos, left over republican slandering, a media still dwelling on his life of ten years ago and their unwillingness to take his acquired policy acumen seriously Franken should simply ignore those polls. As Franken works for the larger body politic and scores one bulls eye after another fighting for real change for the middle class (especially in health care), that poll will take care of itself. I suggest you take a different perspective when following Senator Franken's first year in the Senate. You'll find a serious politician that has real concern for people and is not yet bought and sold by lobbyists.

Submitted by Phil Dech on July 7, 2009 - 8:35am.

Franken has alluded to HRC the last couple of days, initial skepticism that faded as she dug in and worked for her constituents. I wonder what her national poll numbers looked like when she started as Senator of NY.

Submitted by Thomas Swift on July 7, 2009 - 8:58am.

More telling, perhaps is this piece of information, which escaped the authors notice:

"There’s clearly more intense feeling among those who don’t like Franken. Twelve percent (12%) of voters have a very favorable view of the new senator, compared to 29% who have a very unfavorable opinion."

In all seriousness, many of the people I've spoken with, from all over the poitical spectrum, believe that Franken's selection was based upon spite.

That belief, and Franken's history of deplorable behavior, writings, drug use and utter lack of experience have led many thoughtful people to conclude that the Democrat party's support of Franken is, more than just an intentional insult to the Republican electorate, a smear on the office of US Senator.

That's the sort of "image" that is not likely to be changed by insincere rhetoric or skilled teleprompter operators.

And that is to say nothing of what is in store if the Washington press finds Franken as distasteful as rumor has it they do.