New Poll: Romanoff runs strongest against Republicans

RealClearPolitics Blog - Rasmussen's latest numbers in the Colorado Senate race (500 LVs, 2/2, MoE +/- 4.5%) show that appointed Sen. Michael Bennet might not be the Democrats' strongest candidate against former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, the early favorite on the GOP side. Former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff (D) is running closer, but still behind Norton in some early matchups.

General Election Matchups
Norton 51 (+2 vs. last poll, 1/13)
Bennet 37 (unch)
Und 7 (-4)

Norton 45 (-2)
Romanoff 38 (+3)
Und 10

A troubling sign for Democrats in the state: both Romanoff and Bennet also trail lesser-known Republicans who are also running: state Sen. Tom Wiens and Weld County DA Ken Buck.

Wiens 42 -- Romanoff 40 -- Und 12
Wiens 45 -- Bennet 40 -- Und 9

Buck 45 -- Romanoff 39 -- Und 10
Buck 45 -- Bennet 41 -- Und 8

Favorable Ratings
Bennet 42 / 40
Romanoff 40 / 37

Buck 43 / 26
Norton 49 / 31
Wiens 35 / 30

More Coloradans disapprove of President Obama's job performance than approve: the split is 45 / 53. Bennet's campaign announced yesterday that Obama will attend a fundraiser for his campaign in two weeks.

Gov. Bill Ritter (D), who appointed Bennet and recently announced he would not seek a second term, has a 40 percent approval and 56 percent disapproval rating.