Quinny Poll: GOP Closing Gap in Race for Voino's Senate Seat, But It's Way Too Early to Predict Anything

According to The Hill: "There’s good news and bad news for Ohio Republicans in a new Quinnipiac University poll on the state’s Senate race. The good: They’ve made up ground since last month. The bad: They still trail by a significant margin. Republicans Rob Portman and Mary Taylor both closed their deficits in the race by several points, with Portman drawing seven points closer to Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher (D) and five points closer to Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (D), compared to early February. Still, both Portman and Taylor, the state auditor, trail in every head-to-head scenario by at least five points. Fisher leads Portman 41-33 and Taylor 41-31, while Brunner leads the former congressman 39-34 and Taylor 38-31."

Caution is needed here folks. At this point, it is far too early to tell who is going to win the race, let alone their party's primary. The undecideds are huge in this poll and there are 19+ months to go--an eternity in politics.

Clearly, Ohio Auditor of State Mary Taylor is the wild card on the GOP side. Taylor could give former Congressman, U.S. Trade Representative, and OMB Director Rob Portman a real run for the nomination. Portman is a solid candidate with serious credentials; however, his connection with the Bush administration could cause him some trouble. The big question is: does Taylor run for reelection in 2010 and perhaps run for governor in 2014 or give up a job she loves for a chance at an open senate seat? If she passes, it looks like Portman will sail to the nomination.

And on the Democratic side, as much as Lt. Governor Lee Fisher's camp would like Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to reconsider her decision to jump into the race, Brunner's not going anywhere. Though others have trown their hat in, Brunner will be the toughest foe for Fisher. For those of you who follow Buckeye politics: buckle up, this should be a fun ride.