Paul Ahead, Angle Tied: So Much for Painting the Tea Party Candidates Negatively

Jack Conway and Harry Reid have launched an advertising campaign to paint their November foes, Republican primary winners, Rand Paul and Sharron Angle as extreme right, fringey, Tea Party candidates that were out of touch with their state's voters. The latest Rasmussen Reports polls show that tactic isn't working. A poll of likely voters shows Paul earning 49% to Conway's 40% while Angle and Reid are tied at 47% apiece, which represents a gain of 2% for Angle. When leaners are included in the new totals, Paul attracts 51% of the vote, while Conway picks up 41% and Angle attracts 50% of the vote, while Reid grabs 48%. 

More importantly, not only are the "fringe" candidates gaining ground, but the polls also indicate that the voters see the candidates as mainstream. Specifically, 47% of Kentucky's voters believe Paul’s views are mainstream, compared to 43% who think that about Conway’s. So much for negative ads.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/kentucky/election_2010_kentucky_senate

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/election_2010_nevada_senate