It’s the day before the election, and as we finalize our coverage plans for the following day, talk around the office traditionally turns to who will come out on top when the polls close.
This year we offer one more way to cloud any predictions: A look at the traffic each candidate has received so far as part of our elections guide.
These numbers are not scientific — we really can’t stress that enough — but as is often the case with political navel-gazing we just can’t help but try to gain any indication of the interest around candidates.
The race that’s getting the most traffic on bangordailynews.com is the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Currently, Rick Bennett leads the way with 20.6 percent of traffic to those pages despite not having been in the public eye for quite a while and perhaps not having the name recognition that others enjoy. Deb Plowman is second with 18.2 percent. The higher profile Republicans — Bruce Poliquin, Charlie Summers and Bill Schneider — lag with about 15 percent each, though it remains to be seen if that’s because people already have their minds made up about those candidates:
Next is the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Cynthia Dill, of Cape Elizabeth, is the leader in the traffic race there with 37.6 percent, well ahead of Old Town resident Matt Dunlap. This could be a bad sign for Dunlap, who one would think would see higher traffic by virtue of the fact that the BDN website’s audience is slightly stronger in the Bangor area than in the Portland area. But Dill’s high traffic could also be attributed to some of the controversy surrounding her, including her support of Roxanne Quimby’s proposal for a North Woods national park:
The candidates for the Republican nomination for each of the U.S. House districts — Patrick Calder and Jon Courtney in the 1st District and Kevin Raye and Blaine Richardson in the 2nd District — are both effectively tied for page views.
What do you think? Will these stats be indicative of the support these candidates will receive on Election Day?
access denied…
Thanks for letting us know, this should be fixed now
This could be an indicator, or not! Thanks for the breaking news, BDN!
probably not. I bet people are looking at Dill because of the park issue. People in Millinocket hate it. They all should take note and go to the polls to vote for one of the other dems. they may have a park rammed down their collective throats if she gets anywhere near it.
I think that you did not even mention Scott D’Amboise in your listing–once again on the part of the BDN. Scott was in the race challenging Olympia, long before it was a safe, open seat to “scramble” for as 5 others did. He deserves more recognition than you folks have given him.
No one wants him…he’s a Tea Party mouthpiece. Maine has had quite enough of the poison tea.
D’Amboise is completely unqualified to even VISIT the US Senate… Much less serve there!
He LIED about Senator Snowe; has proven himself an idiot by getting totally ripped off by his own consultants and fundraisers…
And us now LYING about his fellow Republicans, with a shoddy postcard claiming you can’t trust anybody to protect the 2nd Amendment except him… which is a joke!
But that’s expected because Scott D’Amboise is a JOKE.
PS. Where’s the MONEY going, Scott? How much of that last $100K are you keeping for yourself… as “reimbursements”?
Just a little angry aren’t we? Isn’t it nice to be able to post accusations but not have to back anything up with oh I don’t know FACTS instead of EMOTIONS.
Enter the Dirigo Blue Maine Senate primary contest – your chance at fabulous prizes!
http://www.dirigoblue.com/2012/06/us-senate-primary-election-contest/
Well – a coffee mug for each winner, but who doesn’t need another one of those?
For those that missed them, here are the Convention speeches of the 4 Democratic US Senate candidates:
http://www.dirigoblue.com/2012/06/convention-speeches-of-the-4-us-senate-candidates/
Here is fair warning to all of the candidates. You call me at home, you will never get my vote!
The fact that the BDN published an article with their own stats is quite pathetic. There’s a multitude of reasons why Bennett & Dill could be receiving more traffic. I tend to believe it’s because they are both located first for their party on the BDN website. This article is a useless predictor of interest.
It’s alphabetical order….. that’s why they are listed first………….
Let’s GO RICK!!!
When CBS is showing anti-Obama ads, doesnt look good for the current President.
If the BDN didn’t put Plowman’s mug shot on every story she wouldn’t get half of the publicity that she does. Guess we know who BDN’s swinging for…