Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – Former Democratic National Committee chair Tim Kaine is virtually tied with former Sen. George Allen in the Senate race in Virginia, according to a new Washington Post survey.
The poll found the two deadlocked at 46 percent each in a contest that observers say will be key in next year’s presidential race and in Democratic efforts to keep the Senate majority.
Fifty-eight percent of voters approve of Kaine’s performance as governor, a post he served while he was vetted by the 2008 Obama campaign for the vice presidential nomination and, later, after he was appointed to the DNC. Allen, meanwhile, has 55 percent approving of his work as senator.
The Republican is seeking to reclaim the seat he lost to Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), an accomplished writer and Emmy-award winning film maker who won in 2006 after Allen used a racial slur to refer to an Indian-American aide of Webb.
Voters seemed to have forgiven Allen for the commet, as 52 percent say they have a positive view of the conservative. In addition, only 20 percent said the comment was important to their vote in next year’s election.
In contrast, Kaine is viewed favorably by 57 percent. The former governor is not viewed as partisan by most voters, with 55 percent saying his work for the DNC did not make a difference to his performance as the state’s top executive.
Moreover, 51 percent said President Barack Obama would not be a factor in their vote. Kaine was one of the president’s earlierst supporters, and his endorsement in the 2008 White House race helped Obama become the first Democrat in four decades to win Virginia, a red-leaning state. He may face Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), who is still mulling a bid, in the primary.
Allen, a former congressman who also served as governor, faces a primary against more than half a dozen Republicans, including former Virginia Tea Party Patriots chair Jaime Radtke. He leads the field at 57 percent, while all others account for less than 5 percent support. A block of voters, 27 percent, have yet to decide on a GOP primary candidate.
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