MI: Stabenow leads Michigan poll; Granholm could face fight

[King]

From the Detriot News:

A statewide poll gives Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow a lead of nearly 30 points over four potential Republican challengers in the 2006 election, but indicates that Gov. Jennifer Granholm has lost public support and could face a tough re-election campaign.
Stabenow "is in a better position for re-election" than Granholm, according to an EPIC/MRA poll of 600 likely voters by Lansing pollster Ed Sarpolus.

By a slight margin, the strongest candidate against Stabenow was the Rev. Keith Butler of Southfield, a former Detroit councilman and founding pastor of the Word of Faith church in Southfield. Of those polled, 57 percent said they would vote for Stabenow and 30 percent for Butler.

Stabenow's lead was 59-30 over businesswoman Jane Abraham, wife of former GOP U.S. Sen. Spencer Abraham of Michigan, defeated by Stabenow in 2000. Stabenow led 57-28 over the Rev. Jerry Zandstra, program director of a Grand Rapids religion-oriented think tank; and 57-28 over Troy industrial engineer Bart Baron.

Of the four, all but Abraham have said they will seek the GOP nomination. Abraham said Wednesday she is still exploring and is "in no rush" to decide.

Republican State Chairman Saul Anuzis discounted the poll numbers because "it is very, very early" in the 2006 election cycle and the four Republicans have "no name ID" at this stage.

Stabenow had a positive-negative job approval rating of 54-33, compared to 52-47 for Granholm and 44-55 for President George W. Bush. While the May 22-26 poll did not match Granholm against specific Republicans, Sarpolus said it does not bode well for her that 62 percent of respondents said Michigan is "on the wrong track," while 24 percent opted for "right direction."

In an EPIC/MRA poll six months ago, 42 percent of respondents said Michigan was on the wrong track. Sarpolus said only 26 percent declared they "will vote to re-elect Granholm," while 29 percent will vote to replace her and 29 percent "will consider someone else."

Granholm press secretary Liz Boyd said the governor "understands the concern of those polled" about the economy, and awaits legislative action on "her comprehensive plan" to spur job creation.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

[King]

MI Governor looks like a possible pickup for the GOP as of now.