Dem McAuliffe faces 52% unfavorable numbers in Va., preliminary exit poll data shows

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A more closely divided electorate than a year ago, underwater ratings for President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump alike and a popularity deficit for the Democratic candidate define the hard-fought, off-year contest for Virginia governor in preliminary exit poll results.

Among challenges for the Democrats -- who've won all statewide races in Virginia dating to 2013 -- is the lack of personal appeal of their candidate: former Gov. Terry McAuliffe. Just 45% see him favorably, versus 52% unfavorably, in exit poll results so far. Republican Glenn Youngkin does better on this score, 53-43%, favorable-unfavorable.

Compounding McAuliffe's challenges are negative views of Biden's job performance; more Virginia voters disapprove than approve, 54-45%. Intensity, which can influence turnout, is particularly poor for Biden: Nearly twice as many "strongly" disapprove of his work in office, 45%, than strongly approve, 24%.

Given those views, turnout has shifted from a year ago. Virginia voters report having split evenly between Biden and Trump in 2020, 46-46% -- indicating that many Biden supporters were sitting this contest out, since he won the state by a 10-point margin.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/dem-mcauliffe-faces-52percent-unfavorable-numbers-in-va-preliminary-exit-poll-data-shows/ar-AAQfyyO

[jalan48]

1. Like Clinton in 2016.

https://news.gallup.com/poll/197231/trump-clinton-finish-historically-poor-images.aspx

[EarlG]

2. Yup, the personal appeal of the candidate is a major factor

If you go into an election at 45%-52% unfavorable and your opponent is 53-43% favorable, I'd say you did a pretty good job to only lose by 2 points.

2017
Northam (D, winner): 43% Favorable, 31% Unfavorable
Gillespie (R, loser): 40% Favorable, 34% Unfavorable

Monmouth, November 2017

2013
McAullife (D, winner): 31% Favorable, 37% Unfavorable
Cucinelli (R, loser): 33% Favorable, 47% Unfavorable

Hampton U, October 2013

[Mysterian]

3. People who were affected by Dominion's doomed pipeline are among those who strongly disfavor him

McAuliffe strongly supported construction of the massive, doomed pipeline before his state agencies had an opportunity to study the impact. Thousands of people in Virginia had their property grabbed through eminent domain for pipeline construction. McAuliffe totally failed to consider how this disastrous pipeline would have affected people and the environment. Lots of young people in the university towns mobilized to fight the pipeline. McAuliffe didn't even pretend to care about their valid concerns.

[rockfordfile]

4. Republicans know this. Democrats sit out in off year elections

Democrats have to get out and vote. McAuliffe even with those numbers still almost won.

[Budi]

5. Well Virginia, when your govt starts looking like Texas, don't call me for help!

You voted for it. You had a choice.

Best of luck to those who saw it coming & used their 1 vote to keep it outside their State's boundries.