Duckworth Lead Over Walsh Grows

By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 26, 2012 2:40PM

Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh (left) and his Democratic opponent, Tammy Duckworth. (Official photos)

A poll by the Tribune and WGN-TV shows Tammy Duckworth has opened a 10-point lead over Rep. Joe Walsh in the Eighth Congressional District race. Duckworth’s advantage over Walsh in the poll is 50 percent to 40.

The key reason for Duckworth’s showing, naturally, has been Walsh’s mouth. His opposition to abortion in any instance—particularly his comments last week that advancements in science and medicine make abortion to save the health or life of a woman unnecessary—have steered people toward Duckworth. Voters disapproval with Congress isn’t doing Walsh any favors, either. The disapproval rating for Congress in the district is at 77 percent.

More telling: independent voters in IL-8 are leaning toward Duckworth. With PAC and SuperPAC money funneling into both campaigns at an even clip, any misstep by either Duckworth or Walsh is magnified at this point in the campaign.