Sleeper Senate Race?

++The conventional wisdom and the leadership in both parties view South Dakota as going to the GOP this year as Democrat Tim Johnson is retiring. 

++As readers of this blog might remember, I like Rick Weiland because of his campaign style, visiting every populated area of his state. An underdog from the start against well-financed and more well-known GOP candidate Mike Rounds,PPP says don't rule him out just yet.

++According to PPP, Rounds leads 39-33 and 17% for independent former Senator Larry Pressler and 4% for Gordie Howe, not the Hockey Player.

++Rounds led in April by 10, which dropped to 8 in early August and went down to 6 in late August. 

++The more voters get to know Weiland they like him. He has a 48% favorable to 27% unfavorable rating. While his competitor is at 44% favorable,47% unfavorable rating. 

++The most surprising element is that given another choice,supporters of Pressler go 48 to 29 for Weiland.
If past history is any guide, the third party vote should diminish the closer we move to election day. 

++PPP pulled Pressler out of the mix and found that Rounds led Weiland by only 45 to 42. 

++It would be nice to see this race tighten.

++Note: Sam Wang dropped yesterday's odds 5% on the ambiguity of the Kansas situation. So Democrats still have a 60% chance of retaining the Senate.