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Rasmussen: Senate race close

Rasmussen's latest poll has DFLer Al Franken with a small lead over GOP Sen. Norm Coleman. Franken has support from 41% of those polled. Coleman is getting support from 37%. I-P candidate Dean Barkley is polling at 17%. MOE is +/-4.5%. Here's a round up of the poll results:

Perhaps the most ominous number in the survey for Coleman is that his favorable ratings are lower than those for either of his opponents. Just 46% of Minnesota voters have a favorable opinion of the incumbent senator. Fifty-two percent (52%) have a favorable opinion of Barkley, while 51% say the same about Franken.

For Franken, it might be troubling that a lot of people strongly dislike him. Thirty-one percent (31%) have a Very Unfavorable view of the former comedian. Just 24% are that unhappy with Coleman and only nine percent (9%) dislike Barkley that much.

The relative unpopularity of both major party candidates helps explain Barkley's strong showing. The Independent candidate is supported by 10% of Republicans, seven percent (7%) of Democrats and 31% of those not affiliated with either major party (see full demographic crosstabs).