Rasmussen PA Senate: Specter 46% Matthews 43%

[Thrill]

Republican Senator Arlen Specter is potentially vulnerable in his 2010 bid for re-election. A Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Pennsylvania voters finds Specter leading MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews by just three percentage points, 46% to 43%, in a match-up that may foreshadow one of the nation's most closely-watched Senate races.

Matthews, whose handling of the presidential campaign drew loud complaints of bias from Republicans, has expressed interest in the race. His contract with MSNBC expires next year.

While Specter attracts support from 32% of Democrats, only 70% of Republicans say they would vote for him.

Trouble with Republicans is nothing new for Specter. In 2004, he barely survived a Republican Primary challenge from Pat Toomey.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/rasmussen/20081204/pl_rasmussen/pasen201020081204_1

[Jennicut]

1. Looks like Matthews could eventually beat him but I think Spector retires

[spinbaby]

2. I agree

He looks unwell.

[Thrill]

5. He already said he is not retiring

[marmar]

3. Not that I'm a fan of Tweety's Senate run, but shouldn't Arlen Specter.....

.... with his age and health issues, give it up?

[Jennicut]

4. How bad in shape is he? Is his cancer in remission?

I don't know if we would say that about a Dem, Teddy Kennedy still has his seat and he has a brain tumor.

[Beacool]

6. The thought of Tweety in the senate makes my skin crawl.

Sorry, but my leg doesn't tingle for that sexist jerk.

x(

[ccharles000]

7. He would be better than Arlen Specter

[ClarkUSA]

9. Oh, give it a rest. Stop reliving the primary, it's tiresome. We need to focus on 2010.

:)

[Robbins]

8. Matthews

This may not be a popular oporion but I think If he can get the nomination he could win.The primary
Is his toughest road.A primary opporent would attack him for not being a real Democrat.However there
Is also a real chance Spector could lose the Republican primary If Toomey runs again.

In 2010 Demcorats need to focus pickup chances In states Obama won or just barely losy(here In
Missouri If Robin Carnahan were to challenge Kit Bond she would have a shot at winning) 2008 showed
with the exception of Alaska(and that was only because Stevens was convincted and then just barely)
Democrats only won seats In States Obama won.

[sufrommich]

10. Those aren't bad numbers for Tweety at all. I'd like to see him

give it a shot,I think he'd make a good senator .

[Clintonista2]

11. LMAO the thought of tweety as senator is hilarious to me for some reason

[AlinPA]

12. He is a loudmoth jerk.

[MadBadger]

13. Those numbers are actually really good for Tweety.

[DavidDvorkin]

14. But DU hates Rasmussen!

Or does when the Rasmussen polls don't show the numbers DU likes.

I learned that during the primary and general election seasons.

[rvablue]

15. All of these polls are completely meaningless until Matthews does 2 things

first, quit his job at MSNBC...which is going to have huge conflict of interest problems covering this race at all.

and second, and more importantly, he has to move to Pennsylvania.

Frankly, I think he is doing this to mess with MSNBC. Before Russert died, there were a lot of whispers that they were not going to renew his contract.

With his bigger ratings that are holding even after the election, this might be some kind of play to get a renewal and a raise.