RASMUSSEN SHOWS SEN. DOLE MAY BE IN TROUBLE

Democrat Kay Hagan now holds a six-point lead over incumbent Republican Senator Elizabeth Dole in North Carolina.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the Tar Heel State shows Hagan with 52% of the vote and Dole with 46%. Three weeks ago, Hagan held a five-point advantage.

This is the fourth straight Rasmussen Reports survey to show Hagan in the lead. In May, Rasmussen Reports was the first polling firm to show Hagan ahead of Dole, a result that was harshly challenged by the Dole campaign. Over the summer, a television advertising blitz put Dole back on top until mid-September.

Tar Heel opinions of the incumbent continue to slide. Just 46% of voters statewide now have a favorable opinion of her, down from 49% earlier this month. Fifty percent (50%) have an unfavorable opinion of Dole, including 31% with a Very Unfavorable opinion.

Fifty-three percent (53%) have a favorable opinion of Hagan, up three points from the previous poll. Forty-two percent (42%) offer an unfavorable opinion, including 23% with a Very Unfavorable view.