Even (R)asmussen is showing movement towards Manchin in WVA--though of course the GOP lead

[WI_DEM]

Democratic Governor Joe Manchin, after recent moves to highlight his independence from the Obama agenda, is now once again in a near tie with Republican challenger John Raese in West Virginia’s special election for the U.S. Senate.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Raese edging Manchin 49% to 46%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and three percent (3%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The latest numbers move this race back from Leans Republican to a Toss-Up in the Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Senate Balance of Power.

Last week, Raese, a businessman and unsuccessful Senate candidate in 2006, pulled ahead of Manchin 50% to 44%. The race in which Manchin was the overwhelming initial favorite appears to be pitting his popularity as governor versus President Obama’s unpopularity with West Virginia voters. In the previous survey, the number of voters who wanted Manchin to remain as governor also crossed the 50% mark for the first time.


www.rasmussenreports.com