Portman's Lead: A Model of Consistency

The latest poll from Scott Rasmussen of likely Ohio voters shows Portman once again with a lead over his potential Democratic rivals [read: Lee Fisher], up 44-39.

While both Portman and Fisher improved their standing among their own Party, it was Portman's big jump among Independents that helped entrench his lead over the Democrat.

In February, Portman led among Indies 43-25. Not bad, right?

Well in March that lead is up to 53-19. A 16-point jump.

Approval numbers once again benefit Portman. Overall approval sits at 45-27. Meanwhile Fisher is stuck at nearly 1-1 with 41-37 approval. Needless to say, 1-1 is not a good position to be in.

Rasmussen included a couple interesting questions in the March poll, asking about approval of and participation in the Tea Party movement.

To the dismay of liberals everywhere, overall approval beats disapproval 40-37. But what should really give those who attack the Tea Party pause is the approval among Independents....45-26. Now the first reaction among libs may be to say that the approval is only because so many Independents consider themselves a part of the Tea Party.

Not so much.

According to Rasmussen, only 13% of those who don't identify themselves as Republicans or Democrats consider themselves members of the Tea Party movement. These Independents may not be a part of the organization, but they seem to like what it stands for.

As is par for the course with Rasmussen, their Senate poll also asked a question regarding approval of the Governor. In what may be a precursor to an upcoming bad poll for Governor Strickland, his approval rating shrank by 6 points, going from 49 in February to 43 in March. His disapproval stayed stagnant at 53%.