UPDATE: Rasmussen's site had posted some incorrect data. Post has been updated with correct info.

Even with their top recruit and an incumbent who seemed vulnerable, Democrats look to be facing a tough race in Louisiana in 2010. Rasmussen's latest poll of the Senate race shows Sen. David Vitter (R) well ahead at this point.

General Election Matchup
Vitter 46
Melancon 36
Not Sure 13

Melancon also trails Secretary of State Jay Dardenne (R), but by a much wider margin: 46-33. Dardenne is said to be considering running against Vitter, who was identified as a client of the "D.C. Madam." The DSCC, which recruited Rep. Charlie Melancon (D), had released a poll showing Vitter leading the Democrat 47-37.

Considering the perceived vulnerability of Vitter -- DSCC chair Bob Menendez identified him and North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr as the top targets -- he has a relatively high favorable rating in the Bayou -- 56 percent. Only 34 percent had an unfavorable opinion of the first-term senator. Some of the gap for Melancon has a fav/unfav split of 43/39.

President Obama has a 41 percent job approval rating in the state; 59 percent disapprove. Gov. Bobby Jindal's (R) approval is strong -- 65 percent, with a disapproval rating of 34 percent. In the state, 36 percent of voters favor health care reform, while 61 percent oppose.

The survey of 500 likely voters was conducted October 5 and had a margin of error of 4.5 percent.