In a bit of pre-holiday posturing, Sen. Chris Dodd (D) and one of his Republican challengers are touting the results of internal polling that shows each, not surprisingly, running strong in the Connecticut Senate race.

Connecticut Democrats released a memo from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (601 LVs, 12/15-17, MoE +/- showing that the embattled Dodd tied WWE CEO Linda McMahon and just behind former Rep. Rob Simmons (R).

General Election Matchup
Simmons 51 -- Dodd 46
Dodd 46 -- McMahon 46

After voters are read "positive and negative information" about each candidate, Dodd takes a 5-point lead over McMahon, and closes to 49-48 behind Simmons. The partisan poll also claims that the partisan environment in Connecticut "remains among the best for Democrats out of any state in the country."

President Obama is viewed favorably by a 2 to 1 margin, and the Democratic Party receives a favorable-unfavorable rating of 51 to 37 percent (+14 points). By contrast, the Republican Party is viewed very unfavorably and receives a poor rating of 29 percent favorable to 49 percent unfavorable (-20 points).

Meanwhile, McMahon released results of her own poll, conducted by Moore Information (400 GOP RVs, 12/15-16, MoE +/- 5%) showing her slightly ahead in the Republican primary.

Primary Election Matchup
McMahon 37
Simmons 35
Schiff 4
Und 25

From the Moore Information memo:

In a little over three months she has gone from being a virtual unknown to now leading the GOP primary race for U.S. Senate. Despite a constant drumbeat of negative attacks by the Simmons camp, Linda is viewed more favorably than Rob Simmons and less negatively. Additionally, Simmons' image and ballot support remain flat and despite the fact the race has winnowed down to three candidates he has now fallen into second place.