Mourdock, Donnelly & The Middle

A recent poll by Rasmussen regarding the U.S. Senate race between Republican Ricard Mourdock and Democrat Joe Donnelly  shows that while virtually tied, Donnelly appears to be winning the fight for the moderate-independent voter.

Rasmussen’s poll of 400 likely Indiana voters showed Mourdock leading Donnelly 42-40, with 11 percent of voters undecided. However, a breakdown of the poll’s demographics shows Rasmussen surveyed 45% Republicans, 32% Democrats and 24% other.

Sixty-nine percent of those who identified themselves as conservative backed Mourdock, while 80% of those who called themselves liberal backed Donnelly.  However, 50% of those who labeled themselves as moderates backed Donnelly, while only 23% supported Mourdock, 22% were unsure.    Mourdock’s favorable ratings amongst moderates was 25%, Donnelly’s was 51%.

When it comes to the health care debate and repeal of the Affordable Health Care Act, 36% of moderates favor the Act, 50% oppose it.

The same Rasmussen poll showed Mitt Romney beating Barack Obama 51-35 in Indiana, with 11% undecided.