Second Straight Poll Shows a Competitive Race for AK-Sen

A couple of days ago I noted the Public Policy Polling survey showing Democrat Scott McAdams well within striking distance of Republican Joe Miller in the Alaska Senate race. Some prognosticators were incredulous. Larry Sabato tweeted that it was "[v]ery doubtful that McAdams could win "unless [Miller] self-destructs." So much for that theory, perhaps. Rasmussen Reports has released its own polling, which more or less confirms PPP's projection of a competitive race.

In Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the U.S. Senate race in Alaska, Republican newcomer Joe Miller holds a six-point lead over Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams.

The latest statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Miller attracting 50% of the vote, while McAdams earns support from 44%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate and two percent (2%) are undecided.

[...]

Ninety percent (90%) of Democrats back McAdams while 79% of Republicans throw their vote behind Miller. McAdams holds a 22-point lead among voters not affiliated with either major political party.

Rasmussen found that a 48 percent plurality of likely Alaska voters see Miller's views as "extreme" -- not quite as bad as the 58 percent majority of likely voters in Nevada that found Sharron Angle to be extreme, but not a particularly strong starting position for a general election. While McAdams will still have difficulty getting at or close to the 50 percent marker in order to win this race, it's hard not to classify this contest as competitive.