From the latest poll, there seems to be a possibility that Alaska’s Ted Stevens (R., Bridge To Nowhere) could be in trouble come November:
In a difficult year for Republicans, Alaska Senator Ted Stevens is providing GOP leaders with yet another headache.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that Stevens is essentially even with Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. Stevens currently attracts 46% of the vote while Begich earns 45%. Four percent (4%) say they’d vote for a third party option while 5% are not sure.
Any incumbent who polls below 50% is considered potentially vulnerable and that label certainly applies to Stevens.
Normally, a long-serving incumbent can count on unified support from his own party while picking up some support from the opposing party. However, Stevens is supported by just 71% of GOP voters while Begich attracts 78% of Democrats. Begich leads by 22 percentage points among unaffiliated voters.
Stevens is viewed favorably by 50% of the state’s voters while 47% have an unfavorable opinion. Begich earns favorable reviews from 56% while just 35% have an unfavorable opinion.
Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Yes, it would give the Democrats one more seat in the Senate, but some people are worth getting rid of, and Stevens is definitely one of them.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Having litigated quite a few cases and therefore spent a great deal of time in Alaska over the last 15 years, I am not surprised at Begich’s numbers, and wouldn’t be surprised by good numbers even if Stevens weren’t ethically challenged. Begich is a quite presentable young man, comes from a revered political family, and tends to avoid association with the Democrats’ moonbat contingent.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
[...] Encouraging ? Yes, as is the hopeful defeat of Sen. Ted Stevens (R., Bridge To Nowhere). [...]