DENVER—Rasmussen Reports released a new poll showing Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Buck leading appointed Sen. Michael Bennet 51 percent to 43 percent.  

The survey was taken of 750 likely voters in Colorado and was conducted on Sept. 27, with a margin of error of 4 percent. 

“This poll is further evidence that Coloradans are responding positively to Ken’s message of reining in spending and creating jobs,” said Buck campaign manager John Swartout.  “These polls also show that people are sick and tired of Bennet’s dishonest smear campaign against Ken Buck.” 

The Rasmussen poll comes just a day after Fox News released a poll showing Buck leading Bennet outside the margin of error. 

“The numbers are encouraging.  Ken has held a consistent lead since winning the primary.  The fact that Bennet can’t break 45 percent in any public poll is a sign that Coloradans are ready for a Senator who will listen to them, not the special interests,” said Swartout. "Don’t be surprised to see more desperate attacks from Bennet and his desperate campaign.” 

Political Journalists Note That Falling Below 50% In The Polls Is “Considered A Danger Sign For Incumbents”

“Labor Day Marks The Start Of The Final Stretch Of The Campaign Season. Any Incumbent Polling Below 50 Percent At That Point Is Considered In Serious Trouble.” (J. Taylor Rushing, “At Least Seven Senate Incumbents Struggling Below Halfway Mark In Polls,” The Hill, thehill.com, 8/28/10)

Capturing Less Than 50% In The Polls Is “Generally Considered A Danger Sign For Incumbents.” “(Mark Binker, “Marshall Suffering From Cash Shortage,” [Greensboro, NC] News & Record, www.news-record.com, 9/12/10)

An Author With Real Clear Politics Noted That “Incumbents Below 50 Percent In August Rarely Win.”  (Sean Trende, “Burr In The Danger Zone In North Carolina,” Real Clear Politics “Blog,” realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com, 8/31/10)

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