YIKES! CAN IT BE? – AT 8:02 A.M. ET:  A new Rasmussen poll published late last night shows GOP sparkplug Scott Brown only two points behind Dem candidate Martha Coakley, the baroness of boredom, in the Massachusetts Senate special election race to fill the seat vacated by the death of Ted Kennedy. 

The Massachusetts’ special U.S. Senate election has gotten tighter, but the general dynamics remain the same.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in the state finds Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley attracting 49% of the vote while her Republican rival, state Senator Scott Brown, picks up 47%.

And get this:

Among voters not affiliated with either major party, Brown leads 71% to 23%.

That is a staggering figure.

As is typical with Rasmussen, he provides some knowledgeable analysis:

All recent polls place Coakley right around the 50% mark and support for opposition candidates above 40%. Turnout will be the key, and Brown’s voters appear to be more energized.

All polling indicates that a lower turnout is better for the Republican. The new Rasmussen Reports poll shows that Brown is ahead by two percentage points among those who are absolutely certain they will vote. A week ago, he trailed by two among those certain to vote.

COMMENT:  Obviously, momentum is in our direction, but momentum isn't the final count.  This is a very close race in a state that is heavily Democratic.  The Dems have now had the fear of loss put into them, and they are going all out.  They have a strong get-out-the-vote machine.  And always be aware that Boston has not always been known as a glowing example of the fair count on election day.

There's work to be done.  This is possible, the odds are still against us, but the odds are less today than they have been.  Fight.  Fight.

January 13,  2010