Nation: Polls

» Pollster Sam Lubell took a quick reading immediately after President Kennedy’s television speech on Cuba last week, concluded that the crisis atmosphere might help the Democrats in this year’s elections —but not very much. Chief impact, said Lubell, would be on congressional contests, which are more closely tied to voter feeling about national issues than the races for Governor.

» The Gallup poll’s “semifinal” check of congressional preferences across the U.S. found 56% of those “most likely” to vote backing Democratic House candidates, 44% supporting Republicans. In the off-year election of 1958, Democrats got 56.5% of the vote, elected 283 of the 435 House members.

» In California, the Mervin Field poll put Republican Senator Thomas Kuchel well ahead of Democrat Richard Richards, 45% to 38%, among those most likely to vote. Among all those polled, Kuchel led by a smaller margin—44% to 39%, with 17% still undecided.

» The Minneapolis Tribune gave Republican Governor Elmer Andersen a 51% to 46% lead over Democratic Lieutenant Governor Karl Rolvaag, counting “likely” voters only. Among all eligible voters, it was Andersen 48%, Rolvaag 47%-.