Rasmussen: Senate race close

Posted at 3:28 PM on October 23, 2008 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

Rasmussen's latest poll has DFLer Al Franken with a small lead over GOP Sen. Norm Coleman. Franken has support from 41% of those polled. Coleman is getting support from 37%. I-P candidate Dean Barkley is polling at 17%. MOE is +/-4.5%. Here's a round up of the poll results:

Perhaps the most ominous number in the survey for Coleman is that his favorable ratings are lower than those for either of his opponents. Just 46% of Minnesota voters have a favorable opinion of the incumbent senator. Fifty-two percent (52%) have a favorable opinion of Barkley, while 51% say the same about Franken.

For Franken, it might be troubling that a lot of people strongly dislike him. Thirty-one percent (31%) have a Very Unfavorable view of the former comedian. Just 24% are that unhappy with Coleman and only nine percent (9%) dislike Barkley that much.

The relative unpopularity of both major party candidates helps explain Barkley's strong showing. The Independent candidate is supported by 10% of Republicans, seven percent (7%) of Democrats and 31% of those not affiliated with either major party (see full demographic crosstabs).

Comments (2)

I think a certain number of conservatives are realizing that if they want a real conservative, who is not tarred by scandal, they can look toward Barkley.

His choice of Antonin Scalia as the type of Justice of the Supreme Court he most admires as him admiring one of the most conservative Justices we have ever had on the supreme court.

At least conservatives don't have to stay home now.

Posted by Dave Kliman | October 23, 2008 4:36 PM

(has)

Posted by Dave Kliman | October 23, 2008 4:37 PM

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