Senator Conrad Burns is now lagging behind both potential Democratic opponents in the race for his Senate seat.

In the latest Rasmussen Reports poll, Burns trails State Senate President Jon Tester 46% to 43%. In our last poll he was neck and neck with Tester. Burns trails State Auditor John Morrison 48% to 43%.

In the rolling average of our last three polls, Tester leads Burns 46% to 45% and Morrison leads Burns 47% to 44%.

Rumors abound that Senator Conrad will bow out and be replaced by either Congressman Denny Rehberg (thought to be interested in running should Burns step aside) or former Governor Mark Racicot (thought to be reluctant, but strongly preferred by many).

Each waiting-in-the-wing Republican leads handily when voters consider potential match-ups against both Tester and Morrison. Racicot leads Tester 57% to 34% and leads Morrison 56% to 36%. Rehberg leads Tester 56% to 37% and holds a 12-point lead over Morrison, 53% to 41%.

If Burns bows out, the GOP will probably hold on to this seat. But if he insists on playing out his hand, it may well be snagged by the Democrats.

The Burns campaign has been traumatized by talk of the candidate's alleged ties to indicted mega-lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Only 48% of likely voters now view Burns favorably, and 50% view him unfavorably. In January, 55% viewed him favorably.

Tester is viewed favorably by 48%, Morrison by 54%.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Montana voters believe most politicians would change their vote on an important issue to get a large campaign contribution?

Thirty-seven percent (37%) believe it takes at least $50,000 to influence a Senator or Governor. Thirty percent (30%) believe gifts in the $1,000 to $10,000 range are enough to turn the head of an elected official. Thirty-two percent (32%) are not sure.

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