Michael brushes aside poll results

The leader of Newfoundland and Labrador's New Democratic Party says she will prevail in a byelection expected this fall, despite a dismal showing in a new poll.

Lorraine Michael is downplaying a new Corporate Research Associates poll which shows Premier Danny Williams attracting 78 per cent of the support of decided voters as preferred leader.

Michael, who took over the provincial NDP in May, polled just four per cent— about a third of the level of support that former leader Jack Harris a year ago.

About six per cent of decided voters told CRA pollsters they would vote NDP if an election were held today.

Michael told CBC News she is taking the poll results in stride.

"I think we all know that byelections very often go differently than provincial elections," said Michael, who will be the party's candidate in a byelection anticipated this fall in Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.

"However, in this case, the byelection is in a seat that has been a stronghold for the NDP.… I feel confident that if we continue working within the district, that we can still hold that seat."

Harris has represented the district since 1990, although he has yet to resign his seat. The governing Progressive Conservatives have accused Harris of stalling his departure from politics to help Michael's campaignto improve her stature.

Liberal leader Gerry Reid, who polled nine per cent of voter support, was not available to comment on the CRA results.

CRA polled412 adults between Aug. 12 and Sept. 1. The poll results are considered accurate to within 4.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.