Nathan Stubbs

Rasmussen: Vitter has 10 point lead on Melancon

by Nathan Stubbs

National public opinion firm Rasmussen has published the results of its first 2010 election tracking poll in the state. The poll shows incumbent Republican Sen. David Vitter with a 10 point edge over his Democratic rival, U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon. Vitter comes away with 46 percent of the vote in the poll,  Melancon with 36 percent. Five percent opt for "some other candidate" and 13 percent are undecided. The survey also says Republicans would have even better odds were Republican Secretary of State Jay Dardenne to enter the race. Dardenne bests Melancon 46 percent to 33 percent in a head-to-head matchup.

On other issues, Rasmussen's polling shows 61 percent of Louisianians opposed to health care reform proposals from President Obama and congressional Democrats. Only 41 percent approve of the job Obama is doing, while 65 percent approve of Gov. Bobby Jindal.