http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/montgomery_county/15643896.htmU.S. Rep. Curt Weldon may yet vanquish his first serious opponent since 1989, but the war in Iraq has the Delaware County Republican reeling, according to a Keystone Poll released yesterday.
The 7th Congressional District race is a statistical dead heat, with 44 percent of registered voters favoring challenger Joe Sestak, a retired Navy admiral, and 43 percent backing Weldon, according to the poll results. For a 10-term incumbent to be fighting for his political life is surprising enough, but the poll's other numbers paint an even grimmer picture.
Sestak edged ahead even though only half of the respondents said they knew who he is. Asked if Weldon deserved reelection, 49 percent answered that it was "time for change."
"It is a classic example of voters wanting to throw out the incumbent and not caring who it is" they elect, said Mike Young, a Hershey pollster.
The poll found that 24 percent of registered Republicans say they will abandon Weldon. Cross-over voting "is an indication of a campaign in trouble," Young said.