[Coop]

Remeber that Thune had a 9-point lead until this summer and no independent poll has shown him leading ever since.

I'd like to see what you've got showing a 9-point Thune lead. I have three GOP polls showing a 6-7 point lead for Thune back in Jul 01 thru Mar 02. Since that time I've seen only four independent polls showing Thune +4, tied, Johnson +1 and Johnson +3. The race probably is trending his way a bit, but now is hardly the time to be giving up. It's very, very close.

[JeffInSD]

I agree with that assessment. I think it is trending Johnson's way but no poll has been outside of the margin for error since the spring, so I suspect it will stay that way. Though, I'm not sure Thune would be helped by another Bush visit at this point.