commanding lead
Poll shows Fasi gaining,
Morgado losing strength
By Gordon Y.K. PangStar-Bulletin
Fifty-seven percent of likely primary voters said they favored Harris, up slightly from the 55 percent who indicated support for him in July. Former mayor Fasi was the choice of 17 percent in the latest poll, up from 11 percent. Morgado, a former council chairman, saw his numbers slip to 15 percent in the most recent poll from 21 percent in July.
To avoid a November runoff with the second-leading candidate, Harris must receive 50 percent plus one vote in the Sept. 21 primary.
The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Political/Media Research of Columbia, Md. It surveyed by telephone 643 likely primary voters on Oahu from Sept. 7-10 and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Morgado and Fasi criticized the poll results yesterday.
"You know what I think of polls," said Fasi, who traditionally has done better on election day than polls show.
The Star-Bulletin Poll is "not a valid poll" and "goes counter to all of the polls taken by a number of people," Fasi said.
As for the fact that the poll now places him ahead of Morgado, Fasi said: "We knew that already."
Fasi has been telling listeners of his daily morning radio show that he has surpassed Morgado over the last few weeks.
Morgado said the numbers "don't reflect the true feelings of voters," adding, "I believe your poll results are absolutely wrong, and I will work way beyond Saturday, the 21st, to prove that to you."
Harris said he is "pleased and honored" by the poll results, adding that "the key, though, is people turning out on election day."
Harris had strong support among both Democrats and Republicans. He also received strong support among men and women, and among those identifying themselves as of Caucasian, Japanese, Hawaiian, Filipino and mixed ethnic heritage.
Fasi did well among those identifying themselves as Caucasian, Hawaiian and of mixed ethnicity. Morgado did well among those calling themselves Japanese and Filipino.
Among age groups, Harris again received strong support in all categories. Fasi did better than Morgado among those 54 and younger, while Morgado bested Fasi among those 55 and older.
Harris got strong support among both renters and homeowners. Fasi did well among renters.
Harris garnered strong support among respondents of all income levels.