Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., leads all three of her potential Republican opponents by single-digit margins but is under 50 percent in a new Democratic poll conducted last week.
McCaskill, viewed widely as one of the cycle's most vulnerable incumbents, leads former Treasurer Sarah Steelman 45 percent to 36 percent, with 19 percent undecided, according to the survey conducted for the Democratic-aligned outside group Majority PAC. McCaskill leads businessman John Brumner 46 percent to 38 percent with 16 percent undecided. Finally, she outpaces Rep. Todd Akin 44 percent to 39 percent, with 17 percent undecided.
Pollster Mark Mellman writes that McCaskill has actually expanded her lead over Steelman and Brunner since March. A matchup against Akin was not tested in March.
None of the three of the Republicans running has been very formidable on the campaign trail or fundraising front (though Brunner is largely self-funding), allowing an opening for the vulnerable McCaskill, who is running in a state President Obama is almost certain to lose in November. The Republican primary is August 7 and it's not yet clear which candidate has the inside track.
The polling memo did not include any information about McCaskill's approval rating or favorability.
The Mellman Group poll of 600 likely Missouri general election voters was conducted for Majority PAC from May 8-10 and carries a margin of error of +/- 4.0 percentage points.
http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2012/05/dem-poll-shows-1.php
