Until Democrats shot themselves in the foot this congressional session, Georgia was one of just two states trending red at the macro level (the other being Louisiana). So it's surprising to see these numbers:
PPP (PDF). 2/26-28. Likely voters. MoE 4% (No trend lines)
John Oxendine (R) 39
Roy Barnes (D) 40
Karen Handel (R) 36
Roy Barnes (D) 41
Nathan Deal (R) 38
Roy Barnes (D) 43
Barnes is a former governor, so he brings greater name ID and electoral experience to the table. But regardless, at a time that Democrats were supposed to be endangered nationwide, and all-but-extinct in the GOP's southern stronghold, these numbers are further evidence that the Dems may have bottomed out early, and will be far more competitive this November than expected.
Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue isn't helping his party. His approval/disapproval levels are at 29/52. It's a crappy time to be a governor.