AK-Sen: New Poll Gives Begich a Nine Point Lead

Rasmussen (7/17, likely voters, 6/16 in parens):

Mark Begich (D): 50 (44)

Ted Stevens (R-inc): 41 (46)

(MoE: ±4.5%)

When leaners are included, Begich leads by 52-44. This is the biggest lead that Begich has held in any of Rasmussen’s polls of this race, and not quite in line with the most recent DailyKos/R2K poll that had Begich up by two points. We could be looking at an ad blitz bump for Begich, or this might be something of an outlier from what has been a very close race so far.

The SSP crew (and other bloggers) got the chance to meet with Begich at Netroots Nation, and I have to say that I was very impressed with his style, knowledge, and sense of humor. While this race will be very challenging as Stevens reminds voters of his four decades of public service this fall, we couldn’t have asked for a better candidate to take him on.

Bonus finding: McCain leads Obama by 45-40 in the state, and by 49-44 when leaners are included. Spectacular numbers.

8 thoughts on “AK-Sen: New Poll Gives Begich a Nine Point Lead”

  2. I am obviously happy about this result, but can someone smarter than me explain something:

    In the latest Research 2000 poll released Friday, Begich is ahead 47-45, but the same poll finds Stevens favorable/unfavorable rating to be 36/61.

    This poll gives Begich a wide 50-41 lead, but it found Stevens’ favorable/unfavorable split to be 50/48.

    How is that possible?  It seems to me that one of these is dead-wrong, or maybe both of them.  How can Stevens’ rating be better in Rasmussen, but still down, but basically tied in Research 2000 while boasting a 60+ percent unfavorable rating?

    The key to this race is going to be whether Alaskans can be convinced to vote out Stevens, so the favorable/unfavorable numbers are crucial to look at.    

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