OH-Sen: Dems Closely Trail Portman

[ccharles000]

Public Policy Polling (PDF) (3/20-21, Ohio voters, 6/17-19/2009 in parens):

Jennifer Brunner (D): 37 (40)
Rob Portman (R): 38 (32)
Undecided: 24 (29)

Lee Fisher (D): 36 (41)
Rob Portman (R): 41 (32)
Undecided: 23 (27)
(MoE: ±3.9%)

Considering how poorly Ted Strickland fared in PPP's new Ohio sample, it's a pleasant surprise to see the Senate race still within striking distance for the Dems. (The trendlines are terrible, but obviously a lot of stuff has happened over the last nine months.) This race will, as much as any Senate race, probably be a referendum on the Democrats and on the White House in November, as all the candidates (Lee Fisher at 22/24, Jennifer Brunner at 15/22, and Rob Portman at 16/19) are little-known and only inspiring ambivalence for now. With this a fairly conservative-looking sample (with 40/53 Obama approval, 39/54 HCR approval, and a 47/45 vote for McCain in 2008), improvement in the national climate could still help push the Democratic nominee over the finish line.

Here's one additional detail that, I'm sure, won't escape the notice of the Fisher and/or Brunner camps. PPP also asks the question "Do you think that Columbus politicians or Washington politicians are better equipped to deal with Ohio's problems?" Maybe it's not a surprise, but Columbus wins that one 65-11. Guess what the lead argument for Lt. Gov. Fisher or SoS Brunner is going to be against ex-Rep., ex-Bush admin budget director, ex-Bush admin trade rep Rob Portman will be?

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/6637/ohsen-dems-closely-trail-portman

[Hippo_Tron]

1. BUT BUT THIS CAN'T BE

Republicans are supposed to sweep the Senate, Democrats are supposed to be dooomd111