Rasmussen: Nixon By 19

GETTING UGLY

Rasmussen Reports:

Nixon 57%, Hulshof 38%

Poll Taken Tuesday of 700 Likely Voters, 4% Margin of Error

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Nixon gets 91% of his party's backing; Hulsof only attracts 78% of Republicans

62% view Nixon "favorably," just 46% view Hulshof "favorably"

Nixon holds "dominating edge" among unaffiliated voters, according to the pollster

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Calls to several Republicans Friday show the public polling matches the private polling. Some are hearing internals ranging from an 18 to 22 point deficit for their nominee. Republicans increasingly see Hulshof's job as to fight "the good fight," in markets he can afford to, in order to help save other Republican candidates down ballot from an electoral massacre. As one G.O.P. politico told The Notebook, "This is worse than Watergate . . . Believe the numbers."

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Also, earlier this week, another "McNixican" signals a defection. Lawrence County Republican Theresa Sumners writes: "In watching the debate in July between Sarah Steelman and Kenny Hulshof, I already had made the decision if Treasurer Steelman was defeated by Congressman Hulshof that would indeed be voting for Nixon in the General Election. I am a Republican, and this is the first time I will have ever voted for a Democrat. My decision is solely based on experience. Jay Nixon has done a superior job as our Attorney General, I can't say the same for Kenny Hushof in his role as Congressman. I have several other people who are Republicans, tell me they are voting for Jay Nixon as well."