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Poll: Dem Sen. Byron Dorgan Vulnerable -- If GOP Gets Gov. John Hoeven To Run

Eric Kleefeld | December 21, 2009, 9:15AM

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Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

Byron Dorgan, Duane Sand, John Hoeven, ND-SEN, Polls, Senate '10

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A new Rasmussen poll finds that Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) could be seriously vulnerable in 2010 -- but only if the GOP manages to get just the right candidate to oppose him, third-term Republican Gov. John Hoeven.

When Dorgan is tested against Duane Sand, a Navy veteran who has previously run unsuccessfully for the Senate and the House, Dorgan leads by 52%-37%. But if Hoeven were the GOP candidate, Dorgan would trail by a 58%-36% margin.

Hoeven has previously declined a Senate run. The GOP tried to recruit him to run against Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad in the 2006 cycle, but he didn't make the race. Earlier this year, he said he would decide on a Senate run by September -- which has obviously passed already. But if he were to get in, he would start as the frontrunner.

From the pollster's analysis: "Along with Hoeven's popularity in the state, Dorgan has to contend with President Obama's unpopularity. John McCain carried North Dakota over Obama 53% to 45%, and now just 41% approve of how the president is doing his job. Fifty-eight percent (58%) disapprove."

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M Miller

December 21, 2009 9:36 AM

I'm thinking a lot of Democratic moderates will be voted out for some mainline conservatives. They will gain more power, less will get done (or less meaningful), people will continue to blame Obama and the Democrats when things don't happen the way they want it to. Time to give the Republicans back the majority! I wonder how long after that that America will finally say, "Oh! they're all like Bush, and some even worse!"

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RhodaA

December 21, 2009 9:46 AM

Rasmussen ?

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SBG

December 21, 2009 11:05 AM

It's frankly hard to believe that Dorgan leads Sand by only 52-37. Dorgan has won 9(!) statewide elections (six house runs in the sole district) and 3 senate runs. Last time (2004), he got 68% of the vote.

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Rocket

December 21, 2009 11:13 AM

The facts are that John Hoeven is not running for the Senate. The Lt. Gov is confirming what people in the party know and that is that Mr. Hoeven is declining the race. How can a liberal Republican beat a liberal incumbent Democrat. Hoeven is a big spender who has a history of donating to Dorgan. Yes, you read that right.
The declared candidate is conservative businessman Paul Sorum. Dakota Polling has the race Dorgan 47%, Sorum 45% with a three point margin of error. Clearly Sorum is gaining momentum.
People need to stop the Hoeven worship because he is not running. Sorum is the better candidate and he is a conservative.

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