Democrats Looking Strong in Ohio Senate Race

[MadBadger]

From PPP:

Jennifer Brunner and Lee Fisher have nearly identical leads over Rob Portman in the race to replace retiring Republican Senator George Voinovich.

Fisher leads Portman 41-32 and Brunner has a 40-32 advantage. For both that's a strong improvement since PPP first looked at the race in January. At that time it was Portman with a 41-39 lead over Fisher and a 42-34 one over Brunner.

Anyone trying to figure out whether Brunner or Fisher would make a stronger general election candidate or which has a leg up in the primary will not find it from this poll, as their numbers are nearly identical across the board. 32% of respondents have a favorable opinion of both Fisher and Brunner. 32% have an unfavorable one of Brunner, while the number is 31% for Fisher. Among just Democrats 51% have a favorable opinion of both candidates, with 13% having a negative one of Brunner to 12% for Fisher.

Portman is seen favorably by 22% of voters and unfavorably by 34%, not a particularly good place to start. It's interesting that really none of the three candidates are very popular, with Fisher holding a +1 net favorability rating, Brunner even, and Portman at -12. You'd think with the rare commodity of an open Senate seat someone would run who had already earned a greater measure of popularity with Ohio voters, but there don't seem to be any likely candidates who fit the bill.

All three candidates are getting 65-69% of the vote within their own parties, but with a significant Democratic identification advantage in Ohio and a slight lead for Brunner and Fisher with independents it gives them the overall solid leads.

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2009/06/democrats-strong-in-ohio-senate-race.html

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

1. Democrats kick sand in face of Republican weakling -

Return and steal his beach towel!

[RandomThoughts]

2. Although it shows my bias.

That was a funny LOL

Duzy worthy

[saltpoint]

3. It would please me if Portman could be stopped cold in the Buckeye State

Senate race.

It feels that from the Senate he would be beckoned toward the White House a bit down the road. Not in 2012 but later.

If either of these sturdy Dems can knock him off-stride early on, it would be a great victory, IMO.

These are very encouraging numbers.

[Fire1]

4. Way to go, Ohio!!!!! n/t