While it may come as a shock to some, especially NBC viewers, the latest numbers out from NBC News/Marist polls are not really out of line with the numbers we’ve been seeing from other established pollsters over the last two weeks.
NBC may be getting out of horse race (some might say cheer leading) mode, looking to come more into line with reality so as not to get caught looking out of touch on Tuesday.
Just days before the midterm elections, Republican Senate candidates are in strong positions in three key Southern states, putting the GOP well within striking distance of regaining control of the upper chamber, according to brand-new NBC News/Marist polls.
In Kentucky, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell leads Democrat Alison Grimes by nine points among likely voters, 50 percent to 41 percent.
In Georgia, Republican David Perdue leads Democrat Michelle Nunn 48 percent to 44 percent.
And while Democrat Sen. Mary Landrieu in Louisiana leads in a three-way contest with 44 percent of the vote, she trails in a hypothetical runoff against either Republican candidate –Rep. Bill Cassidy or Tea Party candidate Rob Maness.
A glance at the Real Clear Politics averages says it all. Rasmussen had McConnell up by 8 two week ago and now even Democrat leaning PPP has him up by eight. You may also recall that the DSCC backed off spending in Kentucky a while back. McConnell is up by an average of 6.5 points.
In Louisiana, Cassidy has been up over Landrieu by single digits for weeks, as well – and most expect him to win in a December run-off. The Republican is currently up by 4.6 points in the RCP average.
Meanwhile, Georgia is still close, though Perdue continues to lead within the margin of error in most polls, just as he has since mid October. He’s up by 2.2 points in the RCP average.
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