Blago Leading Topinka in Latest Poll, or Vice Versa

The latest Wall Street Journal/Zogby poll has Governor Rod Blagojevitch (which is apparently Zogby for Blagojevich) ahead of Republican challenger Judy Baar Topinka, 43% to 37%, despite having a low approval rating. Of course, other recent polls by Rasmussen Reports and Glengariff Group show Topinka ahead by a slight margin, so take it for what it's worth. To Carol Marin, it's not worth much. Today she reminds us that November is still a long way away.

Even though the general election is nearly seven months away, Blago isn't wasting any time spending all that campaign money. He is currently running commercials focusing on education. The commercials, combined with State Senator James Meeks' dissatisfaction with Blago on education and threat to enter the governor's race as a third party candidate, is probably why Topinka has decided to attack Blago's record on education.

Topinka says Illinois residents are victims of "the incompetence and cronyism" of Blago since he took greater control over the State Board of Education and has a former aide who now serves as a lobbyist of the company which won the contract to handle standardized testing. On the surface it looks like a pretty weak argument by Topinka, who seems to be taking a stand just to get some media attention without spending any of her limited funds.

November might be far away, but the candidates' fight for percentage points in the polls will definitely keep us entertained.