UPDATE: Anonymous tipster clarification.
The flurry of happy talk stories that Michael Castle is rolling out 18 months in advance of election day were the result of Castle’s dismal polling results from the GOP’s post mortem polling in the normally safe Republican 7th RD.
If the elections results were not in itself enough to send Castle Inc. into crisis mode, the GOP’s highly unusual post election poll apparently provided Castle with reams of bad news.
Reacting to a very bare majority of Republican voters “approving” of the job he is doing sentiment that he is “out of touch” and “on the wrong course” Castle’s PR offensive has included yesterday’s WDEL interview with Allan Loudell. Ironically, it was in that interview that Castle slips and gives some credence to the assertion that the polling provided a “tipping point” forcing Castle’s hand and forcing him into the early spring offensive.
Early in the interview Loudell mentioned the “toxic” atmosphere for Republicans created by George Bush and (very diplomatically) asks Castle to speculate about the widespread consensus that Castle’s decision to publicly campaign for Jim Bowers in the 7th contributed to Bower’s loss.
Castle refers to the polling in his response stating “I did think that, but a poll was done and other issues showed up.” Castle then referred to poll results that showed the voter disapproval with republicans is related to a broad range of issues including the Attorney General, Wayne Smith and George Bush.
Loudell instantly sensed that a larger story may have just been uncovered follows up with a probing question about the polling. At that, Castle knew that he slipped up and begins to back track stating emphatically, “A: I didn’t conduct the poll, and B: I have never seen the poll.”
Protest much?