Since the start of the cycle, Democrats having been touting their chances to deny GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole a second term. They contend that she has little to show for her five and a half years in the Senate and that she has spent very little time in the state—at least until it came time to campaign. Democratic strategists are also enthusiastic about their nominee, state Sen. Kay Hagan.
Not surprisingly, Dole’s supporters take issue with each of these arguments (see May 22, 2008 Update). To bolster their case, the campaign shared the results of their most recent poll in an email to supporters. The Tarrance Group survey (July 7-9 of 550 likely voters) gave the incumbent a 64-percent favorable rating and put her job approval rating at 63 percent. Further, 76 percent agreed with the statement that Dole “has the right attitude about public service and conducts herself honorably,” and 68 percent said that she “is effective and gets things done.” Finally, the incumbent had a 15-point lead over Hagan, 51 percent to 36 percent.
According to the polling
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