Rasmussen (8/13, likely voters incl. leaners, 7/22 in parens):
Al Franken (D): 46 (49)
Norm Coleman (R-inc): 49 (46)
(MoE: ±4%)
Franken and Coleman trade the lead, but the spread remains tight; without including leaners (although, again, I don’t see why this method is preferable), the race is tied at 45% apiece.
Franken’s favorables are still weak (48-48, compared to Coleman’s 53-44), and it’s worth pointing out that Rasmussen is the only pollster to show this race close or tied in the last several months.
SSP currently rates this race as Lean Republican.
Seems like Rass is the only pollster to put this race so close.
Unfortunately, Franken sucks ass as a candidate and will probably lose to a mildly unpopular, polarizing incumbent because he is even more unpopular and polarizing.
Let this race be a lesson to PA Dems in ’10. If you nominate Chris Matthews, Specter (or whoever runs for his seat should he retire) will win in a landslide.
It’s amazing how much you bitch about Franken! He is a good candidate and he will win this election. It seems like everyone thinks beating Coleman should be a slam dunk by now. How is that? Except for Shaheen, he is the one with the best numbers against an incumbent. Why isn’t anyone bitching about Allen being a hopeless candidate?
Coleman isn’t exactly unpopular in Minnesota. He has ok favorables, is good looking and a strong campaigner. Franken is a strong campaigner and is running a professional campaign. And if he wins, it’s an accomplishment. Minnesota is not a shoe in just because Obama leads big there. Why should anyone there support McCain? Coleman is their incumbent senator. That’s different.
Besides. It’s a bit stupid to be so negative about Franken. He has worked tremendously for the democratic party for years. Supporting candidates and raising money. And he has attacked the right wing freak machine at the throat for several years, while most democrats has been absolutely gutless… It sickens me…
I like people that fight back. That’s why I like Franken.