Posted on 06/20/2006 7:27:37 AM PDT by areafiftyone
In the wake of his June 13 primary win over Harris Miller, former Navy secretary James Webb (D) has added eleven percentage points to his support in a match-up with incumbent Senator George Allen (R).
The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll of the Virginia race for U.S. Senate shows Allen leading Webb 51% to 41%. (See crosstabs).
In our previous poll, the incumbent led 50% to 30%. In early February, soon after announcing his candidacy, Webb had lagged by only twelve percentage points, but Allen soon widened the gap.
Webb-who actually endorsed Allen in 2000-is a former Republican who left the GOP because of the war in Iraq. He appealed to so-called Reagan Democrats to handily win the nomination. A victory by Miller would have given voters a more standard Democratic alternative.
Webb's stronger showing in the new poll may simply represent the several-point bounce in support candidates often enjoy right after winning a primary. But Senator Allen has had trouble staying above 50% support, and since April has gained just a single point.
Allen is viewed favorably by 62% of the electorate, Webb by 51%. Seventeen percent (17%) don't yet voice an opinion of Webb.
Governor Tim Kaine, a Democrat, is viewed favorably by 67%, unfavorably by 30%.
Looking ahead to 2008, Republicans John McCain and Rudy Giuliani are viewed favorably by two thirds or more. Democrats Hillary Clinton and Al Gore are viewed favorably by not quite half. Premium Members can check out 2008 Presidential match-ups between these four potential candidates.
Crosstabs are available for Premium Members. See our Politics Page and Elections Page for other State Election results and important issues of the the day.
Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.
Rasmussen Reports was the nation's most accurate polling firm during the Presidential election and the only one to project both Bush and Kerry's vote total within half a percentage point of the actual outcome.
During Election 2004, RasmussenReports.com was also the top-ranked public opinion research site on the web. We had twice as many visitors as our nearest competitor and nearly as many as all competitors combined.
Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.
Yeah, perhaps Allen could take up the cause of hate crime laws for gays again. That'll teach 'em.
George Allen isn't leaving anything to chance. He sat back and let them fight each other through their primary. Now he's started advertising. And nobody has gone after Webb... yet.
If Allen is not careful he's going to lose his seat! He seems to be stuck on Iowa right now - there is plenty of time for that.
Also the election is another 5 months away..
Thats not that long a period of time. Not for campaigning! Webb wants a series of debates I heard!
By the way, Webb as a former Pubbie was supposed to cut into Allen's base, remember? Unfortunately Allen actually gained a point, so that doesn't at this time seem to be coming to fruition.
can someone from va explain to me how kaine is so popular?
As Peggy Noonan wrote last week, Mr. Webb is Democratic standard-issue. Nothing new there.
Senator Allen is just getting his campaign into gear. All will be well.
Duh.
The Democrats have consolidated behind the nominee. Twisted headline.
Debates?!? Oh my gosh! Woe is us! If only we had an experienced politician facing Webb. [wringing hands]
Didn't James Webb's name come up as in the thick of the kerry questionable but obscured Navy discharge matter?
Was he one of the guys in the know, but didn't reveal it?
Jerry Kilgore ran a lousy campaign for governor. Simple as that.
Well you are from Virginia and seem confident that Allen will win so I believe you rather than the polls.
Every time one of our preferred folks loses, we chalk it up as a "lousy" campaign. It wasn't as simple as that.
Webb just got his (new) party's nomination, so it's understandable that his number in polls went up. Interestingly, so was Allen's.
Could Webb defeat Allen? Yes. Do I think it will happen? Not without something MAJOR occurring - like Allen being caught in a love triangle with Jim McGreevey and Jack Murtha.
LOL Not a pretty picture!
Or that apology to blacks for slavery...
Federal polls always show Virginia looking more competitive than it is.
Allen has committed no firing offense, has a positive record as governor, and the state leans Republican. Webb is a novice and will make mistakes in a state where no Democrat can afford to slip up.
Allen by 10 points.
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