Electorally, Wisconsin bears resemblance to another Northern state, Maine.

As in the Pine Tree State, Wisconsin's U.S. Senate race is overwhelmingly dominated by the incumbent, in this case Democratic Senator Herb Kohl. Senator Kohl leads Republic challenger Robert Gerald Lorge 64% to 25% in the latest Rasmussen Reports survey (see crosstabs). And Kohl is viewed favorably by 67% of all voters, including 42% of Republicans. Nobody will be chewing nails over this contest.

Obviously, Wisconsin remains safely in the Democratic column for our Senate Balance of Power summary.

But Wisconsin also has a Democratic chief executive with only a narrow advantage in the gubernatorial race. In that race Governor Jim Doyle now leads Republican Congressman Mark Green 48% to 44% (see crosstabs).

The Governor has maintained an edge all year, but it has narrowed since the summer. In mid-September, his lead dropped from eight points to three, and the current showing isn't much better. Doyle will probably eke out a victory, but it's not a slam dunk.

Both Doyle and Green attract more than 80% of their partisan base. The Governor does markedly better with unaffiliated voters and especially moderates.

Governor Doyle is viewed favorably by 55%. His job approval rating is 52%. Green is viewed favorably by 49%. Green no longer has the five-point edge in the "very favorable" category that we saw in September.

Wisconsin is roughly average when it comes to the President's job approval rating. Forty-two percent (42%) approve of the job he's doing, 57% disapprove. Forty-five percent (45%) "strongly disapprove."

As in many other states, stem cell research has emerged as an electoral issue here. Doyle says Mark Green would prevent potentially life-saving research if he is elected. Green backs research using adult stem cells, or embryonic stem cells that can be harvested without killing the embryo.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.