Rasmussen:
Conrad Burns (R) 51%
John Tester (D) 38%
Other 4%
Conrad Burns (R) 51%
John Morrison (D) 39%
Other 4%
September 13, 2005--In his bid for re-election, Republican Senator Conrad Burns currently attracts 51% of the vote and holds a double digit lead against two potential challengers--State Senate President John Tester and State Auditor John Morrison.
The first Rasmussen Reports Election 2006 survey in the state finds Tester earning 38% of the vote and Morrison 39%.
Against both Democrats, Burns leads by more among men than he does among women.
Burns attracts more than 80% of conservative votes against both Democrats while losing more than 70% of liberal votes. Moderate voters are evenly divided.
Burns is viewed favorably by 55% of Montana voters and unfavorably by 37%.
For both Democrats, name recognition is much lower--nearly half of all voters have no opinion. For Tester, the numbers are 28% favorable, 25% unfavorable, and 46% no opinion. Morrison is viewed favorably by 30%, unfavorably by 23%, and 47% have no opinion.
The low name recognition of his challengers means that the is all about Conrad Burns at this time. But, that will change as the Democrats' select their nominee and voters learn more about him.
If the Burns campaign is able to define the eventual Democratic nominee in an unfavorable light, the incumbent should have little trouble winning re-election. However, if the challenger appears credible to Montana voters, this could become one of the more interesting campaigns in Election 2006.
Just 35% of Montana voters believe the U.S. is on the right track. Sixty percent (60%) disagree.
Fifty-one percent (51%) of Montana voters Approve of the way that President Bush is performing his job. Forty-eight percent (48%) Disapprove.
