The 2012 elections are still far, far away, but President Obama looks to be in good shape in Virginia — at least at this point — according to a poll released Wednesday.
The poll from the Democratic-leaning firm Public Policy Polling shows Obama leading former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney 48-42, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee 51-43, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (who has been suspended by Fox News as he weighs a potential run) 51-39, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin 54-35.
“Virginia is just as strong for Barack Obama right now, if not stronger, than it was in 2008,” said Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling. “That’s very good news for his reelection prospects because it’s hard to imagine him taking Virginia without winning overall.”
Obama in 2008 became the first Democrat since Lyndon Johnson to carry Virginia. But clearly, it’s still early, and those who are bullish on his chances in the Old Dominion should keep in mind that Republicans, led by Gov. Bob McDonnell, swept the top three statewide offices in 2009 and three Democratic incumbent U.S. representatives were drummed out of office in 2010.
Virginia’s state legislators in both the House and the Senate are up for re-election this fall — which could provide a better barometer for exactly what shade of purple the state stands to be by 2012.
The poll surveyed 524 Virginia voters from Feb. 24 to Feb. 27 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percent.
