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CloserAndCloser.

Today’s Quinnipiac Poll finds Republican Linda McMahon only 6 points behind Democrat Richard Blumenthal in the race for the United States Senate in Connecticut.  Five weeks after the professional wrestling diva won the right in the Republican primary to face the 5-term Democratic attorney general, the race is approaching the too-close-to-call zone seven weeks before the November 2nd general election with Mr. Blumenthal leading 51-45 in the survey of 875 likely voters.

The Q-Poll comes 5 days after a Rasmussen survey put Mr. Blumenthal a more comfortable 9 points ahead of the first-time Republican candidate.  Today’s poll results will further unsettle restive state Democrats unhappy with the pace of Blumenthal’s campaign.  The Q-Poll suggests that Mrs. McMahon’s avalanche of mail critical of her opponent is working with men but not women.  She leads by a point among men (48-47), but trails with women by a significant margin (56-41).

A plurality of voters (48-45) believe that neither candidate will bring needed change to Washington.  The poll reveals a worrisome sign for Democrats two days before President Barack Obama arrives in the state to raise money and rally the troops for Blumenthal.  A majority of Connecticut voters, 52%, disapprove of his performance in office.  He won 61% of the state’s vote against John McCain two years ago.  His approval rating is at 45%.

The most frightening statistic for Democrats may not receive much attention in the horse race chronicles between the two candidates.  Connecticut voters are close to unanimous on the state of the nation’s economy: 91% are either somewhat or very worried about it.   Mr. Blumenthal has had little to say about the economy in his campaign, which has emphasized his record as attorney general.

The poll results may serve as a tonic for national Republicans concerned that primary voters in Delaware and New Hampshire today may nominate weak candidates in races for open seats that the party has expected to capture in November.  With the Q-Poll putting Mrs. McMahon closer in a race Democrats have thought they would win since battered Senator Christopher Dodd took a powder from his re-election campaign in January, Connecticut will be seen by more of the commentariat and political class as another Senate seat in play.

The campaigns will turn their focus to the handful of undecided voters and the 11% who say they support one candidate but could change their minds.

4 comments

1 G { 09.14.10 at 5:45 pm }

She may still be closing the gap, but as one of those rare Republicans who actually knows what Mrs. McMahon’s “business expertise” is all about and is intrigued about the fact that she hasn’t really enlightened anyone about her “business expertise”, I’ll still be voting for Mr. Blumenthal come November.

Even though I want to see a Republican majority in the US senate, I simply can’t fathom a person who really is clueless about life on the national scene.

2 f { 09.14.10 at 8:00 pm }

No real Republican could possible tell me they would vote for a lying, marxist supporting candidate for senator like Blumenthal.Please smarten up or stay home>

3 EdMfromBranford { 09.14.10 at 11:25 pm }

The Rasmussen poll shows Blumenthal is widening his lead over McMahon. The Qunipiac poll has proven itself to be essentially worthless.

4 Crocco { 09.15.10 at 2:24 pm }

I agree with Ed. I have never believed in any of the Q Polls. they are a joke. Linda is not a worthy candidate and Blumie cant remember if he fought in the war. Could we have had two candidates who appeal to the public any less?