Bayh Leads All Opponents
For all the GOP's excitement over ex-Sen. Dan Coats's (R-IN) candidacy, Coats has a tough slog ahead against Sen. Evan Bayh (D), according to a new poll.
The poll, conducted by Research 2000 for the liberal DailyKos website, surveyed 600 likely voters between Feb. 8-10 for a margin of error of +/- 4%. Bayh was tested against Coats and ex-Rep. John Hostettler (R).
General Election Matchups
All / Dem / GOP / Ind
Bayh 55% / 82% / 26% / 64%
Coats 35 / 5 / 68 / 24
Bayh 53% / 80% / 25% / 61%
Hostettler 37 / 7 / 70 / 27
Bayh is the most popular politician in the state, aside from fellow Sen. Richard Lugar (R). Bayh is seen favorably by 61% of voters and unfavorably by just 33%. That's a better rating even than Gov. Mitch Daniels (R), the 2-term incumbent who has a 56%/34% fav/unfav rating.
Hostettler, who represented the state's 8th CD until he lost to Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D) in '06, is better-known than Coats, who was last on the ballot in '92. Still, national GOPers are more optimistic about Coats' chances than Hostettler's, given Hostettler's historic problems raising money.