Internal campaign memo shows Bernero message could carry him to primary victory

An internal polling memo from the Bernero campaign leaked to the Michigan Messenger by a source inside the campaign shows Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero’s message and background could be enough for him to swing a win in the 2010 Democratic primary for governor.

According to a memo from Michael Kulischek of the Colorado polling firm Harstad Strategic Research, Bernero is “very well positioned” to beat Dillon in the Aug. 3 primary.

The memo details the results of a poll of 606 likely Democratic voters. Among the key findings:

–Those voters who already knew who both Dillon and Bernero are, favor Bernero 35 percent to Dillon at 22 percent.
– When 110 word positive profiles of both candidates are read to polling participants, Bernero beats Dillon 37 percent to 34 percent.
– Up to 75 percent of the likely voters were troubled by “documented elements of Dillon’s legislative and business experience.”

In addition, the poll found that 73 percent of likely Dem voters are pro-choice, and 71 percent are “troubled” by Dillon’s anti-choice stance. Bernero has picked up the endorsement of the National Organization for Women in the race, as well as numerous public employee unions.

In a race where large numbers of voters still know very little about the candidates, these results could be good news for the Bernero campaign. If he can get himself introduced to voters, the conditions are favorable to him. The question is, does he have the money in his coffers to get that message out?

No one knows how much money either campaign has at this point because the pre-primary financial reports aren’t due for another three weeks. But the ability to get on radio and television, which costs a lot of money, is likely the key for both candidates.

Here is the full document:

Bernero.PollingMemo.June2010v3