A new poll again shows Republicans just why they should not scoff at comedian Al Franken's bid for Senate against Minnesota incumbent Norm Coleman. In fact, even as Franken and attorney Mike Ciresi battle for a convention win, both Democrats fare pretty well against the freshman incumbent.

The poll, taken by SurveyUSA for KSTP-TV between 2/11-12, surveyed 650 registered voters and tested Coleman, Ciresi and Franken, along with professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer and businessman Darryl Stanton, two other Democrats.

General Election Matchup
Coleman 47 (-1 from last, 11/6/07)
Franken 46 (+2)

Coleman 51 (+2)
Ciresi 40 (-3)

Coleman 58 (+5)
Nelson-Pallmeyer 30 (-4)

Coleman 58
Stanton 29

Franken, who has outraised Coleman several times this year but trails in cash on hand, is still taking shots from Ciresi, his chief rival, for being unelectable, the Associated Press reported earlier this week. The candidates, running for nominations from Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party -- a name unique to the state -- will meet at a convention that runs June 6-8. Assuming the two leading candidates honor their commitments to drop out barring a win there, the party will avoid a September 9 primary.