When pitted against Democratic comedian Al Franken, Republican Senator Norm Coleman edges closer to 50% support in the most recent Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the Minnesota Senate race. He now leads Franken 49% to 42%, up from a five-point lead of 46% to 41% in September In March, Coleman enjoyed a double-digit lead of 46% to 36%.

Senator Coleman currently faces a somewhat tougher challenge from leads wealthy trial attorney Mike Ciresi 46% to 43% (see crosstabs). Those figures are little changed since September.

Any incumbent who polls below 50% early in the campaign is generally considered potentially vulnerable. Coleman, in his first bid for re-election, is one of several Republicans in that category for the 2008 election season. Others include Mitch McConnell in Kentucky and John Sununu in New Hampshire. Republicans are also struggling in Virginia.

In Minnesota, Franken’s entry into the race attracted national attention. First earning fame as a player and writer on "Saturday Night Live," Franken in recent years has added a political talk show on Air America as well as books on politics to his resume.

Despite Franken's firepower as a celebrity, voters are somewhat more inclined to think Ciresi has the better shot of unseating the incumbent. Thirty percent (30%) think Franken has the best chance, 37% say Ciresi, 22% say Neither. Twelve percent (12%) are Not Sure.

So far Al Franken has reportedly raised some $5.2 million in campaign contributions, Coleman about $4.9 million. Ciresi has raised $1.1 million.

While Coleman is slightly below the 50% level of voter support in election match-ups, he is viewed favorably by 56% of Likely Voters in the state. That figure includes 25% with a Very Favorable opinion.

Ciresi is viewed favorably by 43%, Franken by 42%.

In addition to a competitive Senate race, the Presidential race for Minnesota’s Electoral College votes may also be too close for either political party to take for granted.

The survey was conducted in partnership with Fox Television Stations, Inc.

Sixty-two percent (62%) say Governor Pawlenty deserves Good or Excellent grades for his handling of the Interstate 35W bridge disaster that made national headlines in August, 62%. For their role in the situation, the Minnesota state legislature earns such positive reviews from only 36% of voters.

Forty-two percent (42%) think the governor is doing a Good or Excellent job of dealing with the financial problems of the state's Department of Transportation; 27% say Poor.

Overall, Pawlenty earns good or excellent marks from 51% while just 18% say he is doing a poor job. Thirty percent (30%) offer a more neutral assessment and say he is doing a fair job.

President Bush doesn’t fare so well—just 38% of Minnesota voters say he is doing a good or an excellent job while 48% rate his performance as poor.

Despite the bridge disaster earlier this year, Transportation hardly tops the list of urgent issues in the minds of most voters. Only 9% say it's the most important issue for the state legislature to deal with. Thirty-one percent (31%) say the top priority is Health Care, 29% say Education, 23% say Taxes.

See survey questions and top-line results. Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.