Polling director: Candidates could start gaining momentum after first debate

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Now that the Democratic candidates have finished their first debate, some might be put in a better position in the polls.

The last Marquette Law School Poll in April found Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren leading in that order. Now, after the first Democratic debate, the poll’s director, Charles Franklin, said we should start seeing some movement.

Unlike other polls, the Marquette Law School Poll also includes an acceptable choice, would not support and haven’t heard enough option for potential voters. Franklin said Sanders, Biden and Warren all were found to be an acceptable choice by more than 35% of voters.

Franklin said positions in the polls can be very fluid this early in the race. He said while Biden was a top choice in January, he lost some ground when Sanders joined the race.

But looking at past presidential elections, he warns some might see a burst of support only to find they can’t maintain it.

“It is a marathon, it’s not a sprint. And a lot of candidates can sprint by getting attention and playing to one issue, but then they reveal their weaknesses soon after that. And it’s very hard to predict who that might apply to,” said Franklin.

He said that movement in the polls in the late fall is often a signal for what is to come once people start voting.

CNN will host the next debate in July. The next Marquette Law School Poll is expected to be released at the end of the summer.

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