By Neil Stevens - RedState
When Sharron Angle came out of the Republican primary in Nevada oddly enough she was vulnerable. She got no unity bounce instead taking a stream of attacks from Republicans nationwide. As a result Harry Reid went on the air for the knockout.
He didnt get it. Even the new Mason Dixon/LVRJ poll has stabilized.
That poll has never been friendly to Angle even before the primary so when it gives her good news thats very good news for her. Shed been dropping in that poll as well as others and Reid had been rising so its good for her that its now nearly tied: Reid 45 Angle 44 (MoE 4). Yes being behind usually isnt good news for a candidate who once led for months but when Mason Dixon had her down 7 at one point this is solid movement in her direction.
In fact Rasmussen last week showed the same thing only without the usual Mason Dixon tilt against Angle: Angle 50 Reid 48 (MoE 4). This is also a four point swing in her direction from Rasmussens previous lead for Reid of 2.
So yes I definitely conclude that Harry Reids attempt for the knockout on Sharron Angle has failed. He got a quick peak in the polls but now hes gotten to the point of diminishing returns and the polls are settling in to a new normal: even. Its almost as though Angle got an inverse primary bounce as GOPers unhappy with her victory turned on her but eventually that faded as other primaries attracted national attention.
Just the fact that challenger Angle is even with Majority Leader Reid by default could be great news for her. Reid as an incumbent Democrat in a state carried by his partys President and holding the top position in his partys caucus ought to be able to win without difficulty but hes only even. As long as Angle can get the money to push back when it counts shes right where she needs to be. Greg Sargent seems to agree as well.
Though that fundraising Angle needs is not a sure thing for a candidate whos been picked on by her own party like Angle has the TEA party that secured Angle the primary to begin with has managed surprising results this year. Funding Angle could be one of them. It seems easier to steer grassroots funding to needy Senate candidates than it is for any other race in an off year as they have great prominence (unlike candidates for the House) and national urgency (unlike candidates for Governor).
One final note: if you want to see the Review-Journals agenda in its continued posting on this topic just see their picture pair and cringe.
