Poll: Koster closing in on Larsen, gains 17 percentage points

Koster, who announced his candidacy in mid-January of 2010, cited a Moore Information poll (Dec. 16,17) showing Larsen with a commanding 48% - 24% lead (24% undecided) over Koster. The latest Moore poll (April 20,21), however, shows Koster gaining ground rapidly, narrowing the gap to 44% - 37% (12% undecided) in a head to head matchup.

Growing discontent with the direction of the country (37% say U.S. on right track, 55% say wrong track) regarding the economy, jobs, government spending, and taxes, appear to be the major factors in Larsen's drop and Koster's gain.

Koster, a fiscal hawk and a proponent of free market solutions for the country's economic woes, said the improving poll numbers have confirmed his suspicions that the people of the 2^nd Congressional District are fed up with the agenda of reckless spending, higher taxes, and government takeovers of the Obama administration and the Pelosi/Larsen Congress.

"Our campaign to bring fiscal sanity to  an out-of-control federal government  is gaining momentum in the 2^nd Congressional District. Rick Larsen has clearly forgotten that he's supposed to represent the folks back home rather than his party leaders and fraudulent organizations like ACORN," said Koster.

"During these times of unprecedented spending, record debt, and massive deficits, we need a leader who understands that taxpayer money is to be protected by Congress, not wasted on job killing tax hikes and partisan spending sprees. History and common sense instruct us that we cannot spend our way out of debt."

"The bailouts and stimulus packages foisted on the American people by Obama, Pelosi, and Larsen only provides an illusion of economic relief. In reality, they are growing the size of government and creating massive amounts of debt for future generations. Left unchecked, I believe the policies of these folks will lead us to a fiscal meltdown."

"I believe government must live within its means. I look forward to opportunities to reduce or eliminate bureaucracy, curtail government growth and spending, and demand efficiency in spending.  We need to look at what is happening in places like Greece and realize that we need to eliminate wasteful spending, cut burdensome taxes, and make sure that entrepreneurs are free to create jobs."