Independent poll shows Kanjorski in big trouble

A new independent poll shows 12-term Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D) facing a very tough challenge from Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta (R) in Pennsylvania’s 11th district.

{mosads}The poll, conducted by Franklin & Marshall College between Sept. 9-14, shows Barletta with 44 percent, ahead of Kanjorski, who is at 35 percent.

Twenty-one percent of voters are undecided, and the poll has a 4.9 percent margin of error.

Barletta said he was encouraged by the poll, adding that it affirms voters’ desire for a change in their congressman.

“They are tired of the same old embarrassing antics and the dismal lack of leadership in Congress, and they want change,” Barletta said.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) pushed back Thursday by releasing its own poll, showing Kanjorski with a 48-39 lead over Barletta. That poll, conducted Sept. 14-15 by Grove Insight polling, has only 14 percent undecided, and the same 4.9 percent margin of error.

“One poll shows us nine points up, another nine points down — with plenty of voters undecided,” said Kanjorski spokesman Ed Mitchell. “In this political climate, no one can be sure whether the numbers come from calculators or astrological charts.”

Franklin & Marshall’s Terry Madonna said: “Barletta has a lead. We can argue a little bit about how much and for what reasons, but the people I’ve talked to on the ground confirm that for me. There’s an incumbent who’s struggling for his political life.”

Madonna also criticized the DCCC for not releasing the questions and methodology of its poll.