The netroots like State Senator Andy Rice, but helping him beat Senator Jim Inhofe looks like a longshot. A poll conducted by SoonerPoll.com shows the incumbent leading by a wide margin, and confirms that Oklahoma remains comfortable with their elected officials.

The poll, conducted 12/16-19, surveyed 735 registered voters for a 4% margin of error. Rice, Inhofe, Senator Tom Coburn and Governor Brad Henry were tested.

General Election Matchup
Inhofe 60
Rice 19

A poll for Rice taken a week before this one showed him trailing Inhofe by 14 points, but this survey has nothing but bad news for the Democrat: 56% of the state's voters approve of Inhofe's performance as Senator, while just 24% disapprove.

The state's junior senator, Tom Coburn, is also popular, with 58% approving of the job he's doing, while only 22% disapprove. Democratic Governor Brad Henry, meanwhile, is virtually beloved: 76% say they approve of his job, while only 16% disapprove.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 11:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

If Senator Jim Inhofe finds himself in trouble, the Republican Party should probably just pack it up and head home for the remainder of 2008. But the Oklahoma Senator, seeking his third full term next year, is doing alright, according to a new poll conducted for his opponent. Still, the poll shows even voters in ruby-red Oklahoma are looking for a new direction.

The Benenson Strategy Group poll, conducted 12/8-12 for State Sen. Andrew Rice, surveyed 900 likely voters for a margin of error of +/- 3%, testing both Inhofe and Rice.

General Election Matchup
Inhofe 49
Rice 35

Inhofe 46
Generic Dem 38

Just 48% of Oklahoma voters rate Inhofe's job performance as excellent or good, the poll shows, while 45% say it is fair or poor. And only 27% say the U.S. is headed in the right direction, compared with 58% who say the country is going the wrong way.

Inhofe, first elected to the Senate upon the retirement of Democratic Senator David Boren, is a top Republican on the Armed Services and Environment and Public Works Committees. He has won re-election by solid margins, with 57% in both 1996 and 2002.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 02:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink