Rep. Dead-Beat Dad Behind in Polls

From the Huffington Post:

Freshman Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) is nine points behind Democratic opponent Tammy Duckworth, according to a poll released Thursday by the anti-Tea Party super PAC CREDO.

The poll of 500 voters in Illinois' 8th District found that 50 percent favored Duckworth, compared to 41 percent for Walsh. Walsh had a 39 percent favorable rating, up from 28 percent in a Democratic poll conducted in January. Little other polling is available on the race, but the Cook Political Report rates the seat as likely to turn Democratic.

Walsh, who recently took to the airwaves to re-introduce himself to voters, has a history of causing controversy with his statements, including his comments during a town hall that radical Islam was threatening the country. Duckworth, a double-amputee veteran, raised almost $900,000 in the past fundraising quarter after Walsh criticized her for frequently mentioning her military service.

The poll was conducted by Democratic firm Public Policy Polling using automated phone calls between Aug. 13 and Aug. 14, and had a 4.38 percent margin of error.