PPP Poll: Dem Fisher Leads GOPer Portman By Two Points In OH-SEN

OH Senate candidates Lee Fisher (D) and Rob Portman (R)
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The new survey of the Ohio Senate race from Public Policy Polling (D) gives Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher a narrow edge against Republican Rob Portman, a former Congressman and Bush administration official. The key takeaway: Even though Obama’s popularity has gone downhill in this perennial swing state, Portman’s ties to Washington are tripping him up.

The numbers: Fisher 40%, Portman 38%. The survey of registered voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. In the previous general election poll from March, during the Democratic primary between Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Portman led Fisher by 41%-36%.

These numbers come on the same day as a Quinnipiac poll, which gave Fisher a similar lead of 42%-40%. The TPM Poll Average has Fisher ahead by 43.3%-41.0%.

PPP’s analysis shows the tight-rope that each candidate has to walk, in terms of both their parties and their professional backgrounds:

Democratic nominee, Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, has an edge–he’s not from Washington. Ohio voters overwhelmingly prefer Columbus politicians to Washington insiders; 59:15.

Fisher would be well advised to stay an arms length away from Obama; Ohioans aren’t fans of the President. 42% of voters approve of the President’s job performance and 54% disapprove. Retiring Senator George Voinovich should retire in silence; his support won’t help fellow Republican Portman either. Only 21% of voters gave the Senator high marks.

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