Battleground Virginia 2012

Some Va. Dems could face tough re-election

It could be an uphill battle for some Democrats in Virginia in the 2012 elections.

A new poll by Clarus Research tested Sen. Jim Webb against three hypothetical candidates.

In a race against former Republican Sen. George Allen, Webb is in a neck-and-neck contest. Webb has a slight lead of 41 to 40.

Another trial match-up with current Gov. Bob McDonnell would have Webb losing. Webb trails McDonnell 39 to 42.

In a third hypothetical race against current Attorney General Ken Kuccinelli, Webb does much better, with a 44 to 33 lead.

When it comes to the presidential election, Virginia will likely once again be a battleground state. President Barack Obama currently has a 44 percent approval rating in Virginia, a state he carried in the 2008 elections with 53 percent of voters.

Ron Faucheux, president of Clarus Research Group, said in a statement Monday, “the president’s position in Virginia will also play a major role in Senator Webb’s re-election since they will be on a ballot at the same time.”

Among top Republican officials in the state, McDonnell has a 53 percent approval rating, Lt. Gov. Bob Bolling has a 29 percent approval rating (54 percent had no opinion), and Ken Cuccinelli had a 34 percent approval (37 percent don't know).

Former Democratic governor and current Sen. Mark Warner actually polled the best among all top elected officials in the state. He has a 57 percent approval rating, and according to Clarus Research, he does the best job of cutting partisan lines.

Clarus Research Group is a D.C.-based non-profit. Pollsters based their research on 600 self-identified voters, and the margin of error is plus or minus 4 percent.

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