TB&P Daily: The Political Animals edition plus new poll numbers on medical tort reform and county term extensions

Tuesday’s Talk Business & Politics Daily includes a variety of fresh interviews and an in-depth return to a weekend political topic.

In the wake of Monday night’s first 2016 Presidential debate, political animals Rex Nelson and Skip Rutherford share their reactions to the Donald Trump versus Hillary Clinton face-to-face match-up.

Nelson, the president of the Political Animals Club in Little Rock, said there was “red meat” for Trump supporters, but Clinton fared better on the stage.

Rutherford, dean of the Clinton School of Public Service, said Clinton “knocked it out of the park” and he added that her debate success would be a big part of the narrative for the next week leading up to the next debate.

Both men said they expect to see an uptick for Hillary Clinton in poll numbers over the next several days.

Also on today’s daily digital, Dr. Jay Barth, professor of political science at Hendrix College, discusses the finding from our latest poll that shows the highest number of Arkansans who have self-identified as Republican voters.

Watch Barth, Nelson, and Rutherford in the video at the bottom of this post.

Finally, we roll out new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College poll numbers on the subjects of medical tort reform and county official term extensions.

Our survey of 831 likely Arkansas voters, conducted Sept. 15-17, 2016 with a margin of error of +/-3.4%, shows a large undecided block on the tort reform proposed amendment and a plurality of opposition to the county term extensions from two years to four years.

Q: Issue 4 is a constitutional amendment that would limit attorney contingency fees and non-economic damages in medical lawsuits. If the election were held today, would you vote for or against this proposal?

27% For
24% Against
49% Don’t Know

Q: Issue 1 is a constitutional amendment that alters several aspects of Arkansas election law including lengthening the terms of many county elected officials from 2 years to 4 years. If the election were held today, how would you vote on Issue 1?

29% For
42.5% Against
28.5% Don’t Know