Public Policy Polling, a Democrat-leaning organization, finds Mark Kirk ahead in the Illinois Senate race by 40% to 36% over Alexi Giannoulias. It is a small sample of likely voters (470), but by solid polling organization. Illinois voters do not like either candidate  -- by 3 to 2 margins. All of the ads on TV are  negative, some pretty tough. Ed Lasky adds that Alexi G's TV commercials are ubiquitous and quite effective. Kirk's banner ads on the net are far more numerous than Alexi G.Kirk hurt himself by his resume padding.  His favorable/unfavorable would be much better had this not happened.   The good news is that every poll taken in last few weeks shows Kirk up by between 2 and 4. The race now leans slightly his way, though it is certainly not locked up. Nate Silver rates Kirk as having about a 55% shot at winning, which seems about right.  A good thing he is running against a total loser.More good news from Rasmussen polling on the Colorado Senate...(Read Full Post)