Republicans are pushing a new poll in Rhode Island that shows the race for retiring Democratic Rep. Patrick Kennedy's seat in a dead heat ahead of President Obama's visit there Monday to boost the Democrat.

Republican State House Minority Whip John Loughlin is tied with Democratic Providence Mayor David Cicilline at 41 percent, according to a new survey conducted by Public Opinion Strategies for the National Republican Congressional Committee. The poll sampled 300 likely voters on Oct. 20 and 21 and has a margin of error of 5.66 percent.

The survey also shows that independent candidate Ken Capalbo is pulling four percent. Twelve percent remain undecided.

A Republican strategist assisting Loughlin pointed out that the poll shows that Cicilline's unfavorable rating is higher than Loughlin's, 37 percent to 20 percent -- but the Democrat is better known and has a higher favorable rating. Fifty percent said they have a favorable opinion of the Democrat compared to 42 percent who said they have a favorable opinion of the Republican.

President Obama is swinging into the state Monday night for a fundraiser to benefit the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Cicilline, but officials for the DCCC say the race is not nearly as competitive as Republicans are suggesting.

Obama will go head-to-head for attention with Massachusetts GOP Sen. Scott Brown, who is also headed to the congressional district on Monday to bolster Loughlin.

RealClearPolitics rates the race as "leans Democrat."