Senator George Allen (R) retains a solid lead in his bid for re-election in the fifth Rasmussen Reports election 2006 poll in Virginia.

Allen now leads businessman Harris Miller (D) 51% to 34%. He also leads former Navy secretary James Webb 50% to 30%.

A month ago, Allen led Harris 56% to 27% and Webb 54% to 30%.Neither challenger has come within single digits thus far in the campaign, but Allen's fortunes have bobbed a bit.

In fact, four of our five polls in the state have found Allen at or above the 50% level of voter support while enjoying a solid double digit lead. The only exception came in early February following media coverage of both Democrats formal entry into the race. In that poll, Allen dipped slightly below 50% support but was still leading his two declared opponents by 12 and 13 percentage points.

Allen is viewed favorably by 58% of the state's voters. Both Democrats remain largely unknown with as many "no opinions" as "favorables."

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Virginia voters believe that tax increases hurt the economy. Just 22% believe they are good for the economy.

Forty-six percent (46%) say filling out tax paperwork is worse than going to the dentist. Forty percent (40%) hold the opposite view.

Sixty-five percent (65%) believe that the U.S. should control its borders and enforce existing laws before additional immigration reform is considered. This is similar to the national average.

Forty-nine percent (49%) believe that our nation's policy goal should be to welcome everyone except national security threats, criminals, and those who intend to live off our welfare system. That is slightly below the national average.

In political terms, the early phases of the immigration debate appear to have helped the GOP. But, it is impossible to project either how much of an impact this will have on Election 2006 or the long-range implications of the issue.

The rolling average of the last three Rasmussen Reports polls shows Allen leading Miller 52% to 32%. In our last three Allen-Webb polls, the incumbent leads 51% to 32%. This suggests a relative stability to the race since results from the last several polls have all been within a few points of these averages.

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