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Poll: Barletta Has Strong Name Recognition For Lt. Governor Run
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| Mayor Lou Barletta is seen in his office in 2006 in Hazleton. He has released internal numbers suggesting his name recognition statewide surpasses that of several other potential Republican lieutenant-governor candidates. (Rick Smith/Associated Press) |
By Bradley Vasoli, The Bulletin
Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta has released internal poll numbers suggesting his name recognition statewide surpasses that of several other potential Republican lieutenant-governor candidates.
A survey by Harrisburg-based Susquehanna Polling and Research (SP&R) indicates 42 percent of frequent and recently registered voters in Pennsylvania know of the mayor. The possible Republican candidate coming in second for name recognition was state Sen. John Pippy, 37th, of Allegheny and Washington counties. Chester County Commissioner Carol Aichele and Dauphin County Commissioner Nick DiFrancesco tied for third at 23 percent.
Mr. Barletta gained nationwide prominence in 2006 after spearheading a city ordinance that blocked business permits to businesses employing illegal immigrants, made English the municipal language and penalized landlords for leasing to illegals.
“I think it’s a fair assumption to make that the attention and recognition that he’s gotten from the immigration issue has contributed to his high name I.D.,” SP&R President Jim Lee said. “The immigration ordinance that Lou Barletta engineered through city council had bipartisan appeal. It was supported equally by Republicans and Democrats.”
In a 2008 congressional run, Mr. Barletta garnered 48.4 percent of the vote against incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-11th, of Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne and Monroe counties. Though it was a brutal year for Republicans, Mr. Lee said the mayor was able to make it a close race by harnessing the immigration issue in a way that gained him broadbased appeal.
Despite the emotionally fraught nature of the immigration issue, Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research spokesman Ryan Shafik said pro-enforcement lawmakers often succeed in using the issue to their advantage. The key, he said, is finding the right words to make the case for tighter laws.
“It’s not so much what you say as how you say it,” Mr. Shafik said. “Barletta’s a very even-keeled, calm and collected person.”
Mr. Lee said that while the mayor’s position on immigration plays well in Pennsylvania, he could face strong resistance in the southeastern part of the state. The pro-immigration forces are more heavily represented in the Philadelphia area than in other regions of the commonwealth.
Bradley Vasoli can be reached at bvasoli@thebulletin.us
A survey by Harrisburg-based Susquehanna Polling and Research (SP&R) indicates 42 percent of frequent and recently registered voters in Pennsylvania know of the mayor. The possible Republican candidate coming in second for name recognition was state Sen. John Pippy, 37th, of Allegheny and Washington counties. Chester County Commissioner Carol Aichele and Dauphin County Commissioner Nick DiFrancesco tied for third at 23 percent.
Mr. Barletta gained nationwide prominence in 2006 after spearheading a city ordinance that blocked business permits to businesses employing illegal immigrants, made English the municipal language and penalized landlords for leasing to illegals.
“I think it’s a fair assumption to make that the attention and recognition that he’s gotten from the immigration issue has contributed to his high name I.D.,” SP&R President Jim Lee said. “The immigration ordinance that Lou Barletta engineered through city council had bipartisan appeal. It was supported equally by Republicans and Democrats.”
In a 2008 congressional run, Mr. Barletta garnered 48.4 percent of the vote against incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-11th, of Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne and Monroe counties. Though it was a brutal year for Republicans, Mr. Lee said the mayor was able to make it a close race by harnessing the immigration issue in a way that gained him broadbased appeal.
Despite the emotionally fraught nature of the immigration issue, Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research spokesman Ryan Shafik said pro-enforcement lawmakers often succeed in using the issue to their advantage. The key, he said, is finding the right words to make the case for tighter laws.
“It’s not so much what you say as how you say it,” Mr. Shafik said. “Barletta’s a very even-keeled, calm and collected person.”
Mr. Lee said that while the mayor’s position on immigration plays well in Pennsylvania, he could face strong resistance in the southeastern part of the state. The pro-immigration forces are more heavily represented in the Philadelphia area than in other regions of the commonwealth.
Bradley Vasoli can be reached at bvasoli@thebulletin.us
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Brittanicus wrote on Apr 6, 2009 5:57 PM:
With a new AMNESTY in the pipeline. Should it pass? That means more money out of your taxes. To pay for millions more, who are sure to come? This includes the whole family circle they can sponsor? Old, young, sick, mentally handicapped will get SSI, benefits--without ever paying into Social Security. KICK THEM OUT! "