GOP optimism in MT, NE ... Scott Brown plays the "Cherokee" card ... etc.
Despite a fairly strong Democratic trend in most national and state polls in September, Republicans no doubt found some optimism in a couple of states this week.
In Montana, the race between incumbent Sen. Jon Tester (D) and challenger Rep. Denny Rehberg (R) remains close. Both candidates are well-known and generally well-liked, so it's likely to remain close. A new Mason-Dixon poll gives Rehberg a 48-45 lead. The better news for the GOP, though, is that even polls that have shown Tester ahead have shown him consistently around the 45-percent mark, and never higher than 48.
For in incumbent to be polling in the 45-48 range against a solid opponent, and to not appear to be gaining from a national mini-surge by the Democrats, is a bad sign for Tester.
