Murkowski Write-in Campaign in Alaska HELPS GOP Miller Open Up Double-Digit Lead-Rasmussen

Good news for the GOP. According to a Rasmussen poll released this morning shows that Senator Lisa Murkowski's write-in effort to hold on to the Alaska senate seat, actually helps fellow Republican Joe Miller. In the last poll completed in late August, Miller had a six point lead over Democrat Scott McAdams, but this latest poll taken on 9/19, two days after Murkowski announced her spoiler campaign, Miller has the support of   42% of Alaskan voters, 15% higher than Murkowski's 27% and 17% over Democrat McAdams' 25%.

Alaska is a strong GOP leaning state, and according to the underlying numbers Miller is dominating the GOP with 65% of voters, McAdams is projected to have 74% of Democrats and independents are split almost evenly three ways. Where Murkowski is hurting McAdams most is with independent voters.  Since the incumbent launched her write-in effort,  McAdams' support amongst Democrats is down 16% and amongst independents by 24% while Miller is down 14% in his own party and only 4% among independents.

Voters in Alaska seem to be driven by their negative feelings toward the Obama agenda.

• Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Alaska voters favor repeal of the new national health care law, while 38% oppose repeal. This is in line with voter sentiments nationally and includes 50% who Strongly Favor repeal and 29% who are Strongly Opposed. Seventy-six percent (76%) of the larger group who Strongly Favor repeal support Miller, while 63% of those who are Strongly Opposed back McAdams.

• Fifty percent (50%) of all voters in the state believe repeal of the health care law will be good for the economy. Twenty-three percent (23%) say it would be bad for the economy.

• Most voters in Alaska favor an immigration law like Arizona’s in their own state and even more strongly support government sanctions against employers who hire illegal immigrants.

• Alaska voters are slightly more supportive of President Obama’s proposed new $50 billion federal jobs program for transportation infrastructure than voters are nationally. But 62% still believe that cutting taxes is a better way to create jobs that increased government spending.

• When it comes to economic issues, Republicans are trusted more than Democrats by nearly 20 points. The GOP is also trusted more on health care and government corruption but by smaller margins.

• The President's approval index in Alaska is -29 (50% strongly disapprove 21% strongly approve). Nationally the President is doing significantly better with an approval index of -19.  

There is still plenty of time before election day, but right now it seems as if the desperate attempt by Lisa Murkowski to hold on to her senate seat despite losing the primary by a very thin margin, will make it easier for the Republicans to hold on to the Alaska seat in the upcoming elections.  Considering the fact that GOP candidate Joe Miller is much more conservative than Murkowski, it would be a net gain for the United States.