Having emerged successfully from the September 12 Democratic primary, Ben Cardin now leads Lt. Gov. Michael Steele 50% to 43% in the race for Maryland’s Senate seat (see crosstabs). Cardin was ahead 47% to 42% over Steele in the last poll leading up to the primary.

Maryland remains classified as “leans Democrat” in the Rasmussen Reports Senate Balance of Power summary.

Cardin defeated Kweisi Mfume to take his party’s nomination, though it was not with a clear mandate. Only about 18,500 separated the two Democrats and Mfume originally said he would wait for outstanding absentee ballots to be counted before conceding the race. He changed course when it was determined that the outstanding votes would not be enough for him to overtake Cardin and he formally conceded on September 15.

Though he trails in the polls, nearly one-third of voters (32%) say they have a “very favorable” opinion of Steele; 29% say the same of Cardin. Fifteen percent (15%) report “very unfavorable” opinions of Steele and 11% feel the same way about Cardin.

A plurality of voters sees Cardin as politically liberal (41%) and Steele as a moderate (40%.) Sixteen percent (16%) aren’t sure how to classify either candidate.

When asked whom they trust more on matters relating to national security and Iraq, 52% say the Democrats in Congress and 38% say President Bush. The pattern repeats when it comes to the economy; 56% trust Congressional Democrats and 36% trust President Bush.

Forty-three percent (43%) believe the U.S. and its allies are winning the war on terror.

Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.