Republican Governor Donald Carcieri, though facing some of the same political realities afflicting the Republican Senator's campaign, seems to have found a toehold in his own bid to win reelection. The Governor now leads Democrat Charles Fogarty 50% to 42% (see crosstabs).

Fogarty closes the gap only slightly when undecided voters found leaning towards a candidate are added to the mix. Then, Carcieri leads 51% to 44%.

For most of the year the race has been a toss-up in our surveys. Early this month, Carcieri led by only three percentage points, 47% to 44%.

Political corruption was a top topic in a recent radio-broadcast debate, the sixth of ten the candidates have agreed to. Carcieri slammed Fogarty, a former state senator as well as the current Lieutenant Governor, for being lax in battling corruption. The state legislature is dominated by Democrats, and the Republican chief executive often promotes himself as a counterbalancing force. For his part, Fogarty rebuked the Governor for a raid on an Indian smoke shop that had allegedly flouted the state's tobacco laws.

In addition to three quarters of GOP voters, Carcieri attracts 28% of Democrats and leads 54% to 34% among unaffiliated voters. Forty-three percent (43%) of the electorate are certain they'll stick with the Governor on Election Day, compared to 31% certain they'll pick Fogarty.

The Governor is viewed favorably by 64% overall, and "very favorably" by 37%. His job approval ratings are only slightly lower. Fogarty is viewed favorably by 56% and very favorably by just 20%.

President Bush's job approval rating is at 32% in Rhode Island, and 59% "strongly disapprove" of his performance. As in other states, the voters here are clearly able to distinguish the two chief executives, though they belong to the same beleaguered political party.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.