Patch Democrats Polled: Barack Obama Would Not Win Missouri

If the election were held today, President Barack Obama would not carry the Show-Me State.

That's the biggest finding in the latest Patch 'Blue Arch' survey of current and former Democratic party officials and activists, taken between August 27-30. Just over 50 people were surveyed and 31 responded using an automated survey tool.

When asked, to describe their state of agreement with the question: If the election were held today, Barack Obama would carry the state of Missouri, 41.9 percent said they somewhat disagreed, while 22.6 completely disagreed.

While some observers wondered if the fallout from GOP U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin's remarks about  might help put Missouri back in play nationally, most polls show Mitt Romney does maintain a lead over President Obama here.

Other Findings:

• When asked if they believed Rep. Akin would remain as Senator Claire McCaskill's Republican opponent without a GOP-affiliated independent candidacy, 71 percent said they agreed in some way.

• 77.4 percent of those polled said if the Senate election were held today, they completely agreed McCaskill would defeat Akin. The rest of those surveyed (22.6 percent) said they Somewhat agreed.

Patch asked Democrats what they'd advise the Obama campaign to do to counter a possible post-convention bounce for the Romney/Ryan ticket. Here were some of their suggestions:

Give specific facts and figures

Have a complete recovery plan

Keep reaching out to voters that are any flavor besides rich white folks

Talk about Ryan budget, rape tax cuts for wealthy , out of touch Romney

Let Obama do what he does best which is relate to his constituency. The addition of Bill Clinton will help bolster the Democratic economic credentials. Also, a clear attempt at firming up the Hispanic vote would make a Romney victory much less likely.

About The Red Arch/Blue Arch Surveys

Patch political surveys are not a scientific random sample of any larger population, but rather an effort to listen to a swath of influential local Republican and Democratic activists, party leaders and elected officials in Missouri. All of these individuals have agreed to participate in the surveys, although not all responded to this week's questions. 

Patch will be conducting Red Arch and Blue Arch surveys throughout 2012 in hopes of determining the true sentiment of conservatives, liberals and moderates on the ground in Missouri.

If you are an activist, party leader or elected official and would like to take part in a bi-weekly survey that lasts just a few minutes, please email Gregg.Palermo@patch.com.

Blue Arch Roster

Blue Arch Roster: Shelley Welsch (University City Mayor), Jake Zimmerman (St. Louis County Assessor), Bert Boxerman (Creve Coeur Township Committeeman), Tracy McCreery (State Representative), Jeanne Antoine (Olivette City Council), Missy Waldman (Olivette City Council), Richard Callow (PR Strategist), John Callahan (Committeeman for St. Charles County Township), Julie Biermann (Committeewoman for St. Charles County Township), Charissa Mayes (Committeewoman for St. Charles County Township), Jerry Daugherty (St. Charles County Councilman), Keith English (Florissant City Councilman/State Rep. candidate), Mary Elizabeth Dorsey (Florissant Township Committeewoman), Chuck Banks (Former Jefferson County Executive), Jo Ann Karll (DNC Convention delegate), Mary Broida (Fenton Committeewoman), Bob Usher (Voter), Tammy Vent (Rock Township Committeewoman), LaDonna Appelbaum (Convention Delegate), Timothy Green (State Senator), Gina Mitten (Richmond Heights Councilmember/State Rep. Candidate), Jill Schupp (State Representative), Jim Descher (Voter), Ken Curtis (West County Democrats Co-Chair), Steve Biggs (Meramec Township Committeeman), John Niemeyer (Meramec Township), Jim Frain  (Voter), Julie Dougherty (Voter), Linda Robson (Voter), Jim McHugh (Aide to former St. Louis County Executive), Molly McHugh (St. Louis County Planning Commission), Bob Burns (Affton School Board), Mark Powell (Former Arnold Mayor), John Messmer (Former DNC alternative delegate), Karl Frank, Jr. (Former Mehlville School Board Member/Activist), Donna Seidel (activist), Tom Diehl (Former School Board Member/Activist), Jim Barrett (Activist), Harvey Ferdman (Maryland Heights Township 2nd VP), Rod Jennings (University City School Board Member), Jane Dueker (Former Assistant AG/Chief of Staff To Governor Bob Holden), Gina Walsh (State Senate Candidate), Morton Todd (St. Charles County Democratic Committee Chairman), Mary "Kate" Laughlin (Voter), Rod Hoffman (State Rep. Candidate), Beverly Cowling (Voter), Bill Stinson (State Rep.), Russ Craven (blogger), Theresa Borchert (Voter), Jim Karll (Voter), Jeff Wagener (Former St. Louis County Councilman), Pat Dolan (St. Louis County Council), Stacey Newman (State Representative), Cheryl Hibbeler (Former St. Charles County Council Representative), Deb Lavender (State Rep. Candidate), Kevin O'Malley (Fundraiser/Alternate Convention Delegate), Susan Meredith (State Rep. candidate), Susan Montee (Lt. Governor candidate), Bob Burns (State Rep. Candidate)