From Today's Rollcall (subscription only):
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/51_13/atr/10213-1.html
Warner Edges Allen in Virginia Independent Survey
July 28, 2005
A new Mason-Dixon poll conducted for the Richmond Times-Dispatch and other media outlets showed Gov. Mark Warner (D) leading Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) by a 47 percent to 42 percent margin in a hypothetical 2006 Senate matchup.
The survey was taken July 19-21 and polled 625 likely voters. It had a 4 percent margin of error.
Among independent voters, the poll also showed Warner with a significant lead among independent voters tested, 53 percent to 34 percent.
Warner had a 56 percent to 14 percent favorable/unfavorable rating, while Allen had 51 percent to 23 percent. Warner is in his final year as governor and appears more interested in exploring a presidential bid than in taking on Allen, who served as governor from 1993 to 1997.
Former Lt. Gov. Don Beyer is the only other Democrat that has been mentioned as potential challenger to Allen.
This looks like a real (and rare) opportunity for Democrats to pick up a Senate seat in 2006.