Feingold Trails By Double Digits
Talking Points Memo reports:
In the race for the Senate in 2010, one Democratic seat has emerged as a surprise danger spot for Democrats: The Wisconsin seat held by three-term Sen. Russ Feingold, a major voice among Washington progressives.
Feingold won his first term with 53% of the vote in 1992, defeating incumbent two-term Republican Sen. Bob Kasten. He was then re-elected with a bare 51% in 1998, then expanded that margin to 55% in 2004. But now he's trailing in the polls against Republican businessman Ron Johnson -- the TPM Poll Average gives Johnson a healthy lead of 51.6%-44.8%. In addition, Public Policy Polling (D) will have another survey out today, showing Feingold down by double-digits as a result of a "massive" enthusiasm gap between Republican and Democratic voters.
Thomas Holbrook, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, explained to us that Wisconsin is fundamentally a swing state -- and the difficult national environment for Democrats is turning up here. "Well, I think part of it is that he's got a 'D' next to his name," said Holbrook. "He happens to be a Democratic incumbent running in a year that's going to be tough for Democrats."
Click here to read more.
