In yet another sign that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has recovered in his re-election race — thanks to the many gaffes and right-wing positions of Republican former state Rep. Sharron Angle — the new Rasmussen poll of the state now has Reid inching ahead, the first time Reid has been ahead in a Rasmussen survey.
The numbers: Reid 45%, Angle 43%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. In the previous Rasmussen poll from two weeks ago, Angle led by 46%-43%. The TPM Poll Average has Reid leading Angle by 44.5%-42.8%.
In addition, Rasmussen has changed its rating on this race, from toss-up to leaning Dem.
The poll finds that Democratic attacks on Angle as “extreme” have caused both candidates to be viewed as “extreme,” albeit by very different segments of the population. The poll has 58% of respondents calling Angle extreme, compared to 50% saying the same about Reid.
In addition, Reid’s favorable rating remains in negative territory, with 44% favorable to 55% unfavorable — but Angle’s is practically the same at 43%-56%.
From the pollster’s analysis: “Not surprisingly, Democrats tend to see Reid’s views as mainstream and Angle’s views as extreme. Republicans hold the opposite perspective. Among voters not affiliated with either major party, 55% consider Reid’s views extreme while 52% say the same about Angle.”
Eric Kleefeld
Eric Kleefeld joined TPM as an intern for the final months of the 2006 midterm elections, and then kept showing up for work. His other interests include guitars, old comic books and the politics of various English-speaking countries.
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