AK-Rasmussen: Begich jumps to 8-point lead over Stevens

[Tender Branson]

Alaska Survey of 500 Likely Voters - Conducted July 17, 2008 - By Rasmussen Reports:

Begich-D: 52%
Stevens-R: 44%

Favorable Ratings:

Begich - 63% favorable, 34% unfavorable
Stevens - 50% favorable, 48% unfavorable

Link

[Tender Branson]

ZZZZing !!!

[Aizen]

Good. Stevens is a horrible, corrupt, retarded man that is an embarrassment to Alaska and the US Senate

[Χahar]

Wow!

[Rococo4]

mixed emotions.

Dont want to lose the seat but Stevens doesnt deserve to be a Seantor.

[Wiz from Wis in Mass]

I am curious about this poll, If Obama is close or ahead in the presidential race then this may be a fluke. If hes back 5 or more, then Stevens is toast.

[frenger]

mixed emotions.

Dont want to lose the seat but Stevens doesnt deserve to be a Seantor.

[TheresNoMoney]

I am curious about this poll, If Obama is close or ahead in the presidential race then this may be a fluke. If hes back 5 or more, then Stevens is toast.

Obama is down by 5% in the Alaska poll that just came out a few minutes ago.

[Conan]

Without leaners is 50-41 Begich

[Keystone Phil]

Ha! I hate to lose a seat but Stevens is trash. That being said, this one isn't over.

[Lief]

Begich actually seems like a really good guy, and I think he'll make a great Senator. And Stevens is trash, obviously.

[MSUfan]

[Reluctant Republican]

Good. Frankly, the more seats the Democrats take this time around, the better. Especially if they come from folks like Stevens.

[Democratic Hawk]

[Wiz from Wis in Mass]

I am curious about this poll, If Obama is close or ahead in the presidential race then this may be a fluke. If hes back 5 or more, then Stevens is toast.

Creepy

Having said that... Stevens is toast

[MarkWarner08]

A Democrat above 50% in Alaska? :rubs eyes: Guess who was the last Democrat to accomplish that feat? America's crazy uncle!  Mike Gravel

[Wiz from Wis in Mass]

A Democrat above 50% in Alaska? :rubs eyes: Guess who was the last Democrat to accomplish that feat? America's crazy uncle!  Mike Gravel

To be fair, Stevens has been America's crazy uncle for a long time!

HULK SMASH!!!

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Tony Knowles managed to be re-elected with 51% in 1998, but that was only after the Republican candidate self-destructed and lost second place to a write-in candidate.

[MarkWarner08]

Tony Knowles managed to be re-elected with 51% in 1998, but that was only after the Republican candidate self-destructed and lost second place to a write-in candidate.

Yes, but that wasn't a federal election. Color me impressed when Tony Knowles or  Jim Douglas wins 50% in a Senate race.

[briancw]

A series of tubes

[© Tweed the Younger]

if Stevens is actually trailing, I find it very difficult to imagine he can come back.  I doubt his campaign and debate skills are well-honed and I don't see the national mood making a huge swing right.  AND he won't have the massive coattails Alaskans traditionally would as Obama probably will only lose here by single digits.

[MSUfan]

From what I've seen of Begich, he seems to be a common sense guy and not a ideologue. I think/hope he'll be more than a one-termer. 

[JSojourner]

Republicans --

Let's do this.  You folks vote for our guy in Alaska to dump a criminal Republican Senator.  Our folks in Louisiana will vote for a Republican so we can finally be rid of the cancer that is Congressman Bill Jefferson.

Only one problem.  The IDIOTS in Jefferson's district are likely to re-elect the damn crook.  What a hypocritical shame. 

I have tremendous respect for the Alaska Republicans who realize they are well rid of both Stevens and Don Young.  And yes, you can go back to working against the Democrats after Begich and Young's opponent are elected.  I just wish Louisiana Democrats had that much integrity.  Hate to be so harsh against the party I love but it's true.  Jefferson is a horrible man.

[Keystone Phil]

From what I've seen of Begich, he seems to be a common sense guy and not a ideologue. I think/hope he'll be more than a one-termer. 

Agreed. I actually like his stances on a few issues. I think he'd be a fine Senator.

[Verily]

Republicans --

Let's do this.  You folks vote for our guy in Alaska to dump a criminal Republican Senator.  Our folks in Louisiana will vote for a Republican so we can finally be rid of the cancer that is Congressman Bill Jefferson.

Only one problem.  The IDIOTS in Jefferson's district are likely to re-elect the damn crook.  What a hypocritical shame. 

I have tremendous respect for the Alaska Republicans who realize they are well rid of both Stevens and Don Young.  And yes, you can go back to working against the Democrats after Begich and Young's opponent are elected.  I just wish Louisiana Democrats had that much integrity.  Hate to be so harsh against the party I love but it's true.  Jefferson is a horrible man.

Jefferson's district is, alas, too Democratic to ever oust him in a general election. The Democrats just have to keep hitting him with Karen Carters until one sticks. Alaska at least votes for Democrats occasionally (and, while Stevens in vulnerable in a GE, he'd probably be invincible in a primary, the opposite of Jefferson).