Since it has been a few days since the Polling and Political Wrap has crossed your eyes, it seemed like a good idea to do a brief review of some polling data that has come across since the middle of the week, so that you have some political numbers to peruse during the 48-hour Super Bowl pre-game show (what, it hasn't started yet?).
THE POLLS
CO-Sen: (Rasmussen Reports)
Jane Norton (R) 51, Sen. Michael Bennet (D) 37
Tom Wiens (R) 45, Sen. Michael Bennet (D) 40
Ken Buck (R) 45, Sen. Michael Bennet (D) 41
Jane Norton (R) 45, Andrew Romanoff (D) 38
Tom Wiens (R) 42, Andrew Romanoff (D) 40
Ken Buck (R) 45, Andrew Romanoff (D) 41
CT-Gov: (Rasmussen Reports)
Ned Lamont (D) 40, Thomas Foley (R) 37
Ned Lamont (D) 41, Michael Fedele (R) 33
Thomas Foley (R) 37, Dan Malloy (D) 36
Dan Malloy (D) 36, Michael Fedele (R) 35
CT-Sen: (Rasmussen Reports)
CT Atty Gen. Richard Blumenthal (D) 54, Rob Simmons (R) 35
CT Atty Gen. Richard Blumenthal (D) 56, Linda McMahon (R) 36
IL-Sen: (Rasmussen Reports)
Rep. Mark Kirk (R) 46, IL Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D) 40
KY-Sen: (Rasmussen Reports)
Rand Paul (R) 47, KY Atty Gen. Jack Conway (D) 39
Rand Paul (R) 48, KY Lt. Gov Dan Mongiardo (D) 37
KY Sec of State Trey Grayson (R) 44, KY Atty Gen. Jack Conway (D) 40
KY Sec of State Trey Grayson (R) 49, KY Lt. Gov Dan Mongiardo (D) 35
NV-Sen: (Rasmussen Reports)
Danny Tarkanian (R) 47, Sen. Harry Reid (D) 39
Sue Lowden (R) 45, Sen. Harry Reid (D) 39
Sharron Angle (R) 44, Sen. Harry Reid (D) 40
Lt. Gov Brian Krolicki (R) 44, Sen. Harry Reid (D) 41
THE ANALYSIS
Welcome to the latest incarnation of Ras-a-Palooza. The ridiculously prolific pollster goes into the field in several states, and get a few incredibly interesting conclusions.
Let's start in Colorado (where Ras, sadly, has so far left us wanting on results from that hot governor's race). This is the first poll I have seen in Colorado that seems to suggest that Bennett's primary opponent, former state house Speaker Andrew Romanoff, is actually more bankable in the general election than the incumbent. Of course, this is not the first time we have seen Ras out on an island, so take it for what it is worth.
Connecticut still continues to look very good for the Democrats, where Rasmussen even concedes a narrow lead for the Democrats in the competitive open-seat gubernatorial elections.
Illinois, meanwhile, is a bit of a strange one. Kirk's six point lead, given the national climate, seems only a little off-kilter, but one really has to wonder about the 54/45 Obama approval spread in this poll of his home state. A similarly mediocre Obama approval came out of that Kirk internal poll midweek that had him up double digits. Tom Jensen at PPP is, to put it mildly, skeptical of that internal poll.
Another "Rasmussen" first, at least in scope, comes from Kentucky. This is one of the first polls I have seen that shows a visible difference in viability between Democratic contenders Jack Conway and Dan Mongiardo. This was especially true if Trey Grayson somehow survives the GOP primary (which, to be fair, is looking a bit more remote).
Finally, in Nevada, we see what has to be described (and that alone is a statement) as improving numbers for Senator Harry Reid. The widest lead is eight points, which is a step up for a guy that was down double digits earlier in the cycle. Even more intriguing: the guy that was supposed to be the Republican savior in the race, Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki, actually polls the worst of the Republicans. Perhaps his recent brush with indictment (which was tossed aside in December) has tainted him in spite of the favorable outcome of that matter.