MyElectionAnalysis points to a SurveyUSA poll showing newly elected Virginia Senator Jim Webb with only 42% approval and 47% disapproval in his home state. Furthermore, his “Approval ratings are below 50% in all geographic areas of the state, 45%-44% approval among independents. This stands in stark contrast to other members of Webb’s freshman class, all of whom are still basking in the afterglow of their recent election.”
Bruce McQuain passes along a commenter’s observation that these numbers are “5 points lower than Allen’s approval ever was in the final 20 months he was in there.”
I’d note, too, that his numbers stand in stark contrast to John Warner’s 62% approval and 29% disapproval in the same poll.
That’s quite amazing, really, given the love affair Webb seems to be enjoying with the Democratic leadership (witness his selection to give the SOTU response) and the Netroots. Then again, it arguably doesn’t much matter, given Webb doesn’t have to stand for re-election until 2012, assuming he’s even interested in a second term.
If he is, though, he’ll need to change his style. It’s one thing to be a maverick and quite another to be a jerk.
