In his bid for re-election, Virginia Senator George Allen (R) now leads businessman Harris Miller (D) by 29 percentage points, 56% to 27%. The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll in the race also shows Allen leading former Navy secretary James Webb by 24 percentage points, 54% to 30%.

Neither challenger has come within single digits thus far in the campaign, but Allen's fortunes have bobbed a bit.

In early December, with no Democrat challenger yet formally announcing a run, Allen enjoyed a very comfortable lead over each of four possibilities when voters were asked about prospective match-ups. At the time, he led Webb by 31 points.

When Miller first entered the race in early January, Allen led him by 30 points. By early February, following media coverage of both Democrats entry into the race, Allen had dipped below 50% support and was leading his two declared opponents by 12 and 13 percentage points.

It may be that the Democrats' throwing their hats into the ring generated initial excitement that was too thin to last. It could also be that the February drop in Allen's numbers was just statistical noise. Most likely, both factors played a role in the apparent tightening shown in the February results.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of all voters view Allen favorably. Only 24% view Miller favorably, and only 30% view Webb favorably. Thirty-five percent (35%) of voters have no opinion one way or the other about Miller and Webb.

Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Virginia voters favor a ban on abortion except in the case of danger to the life of the mother, of the sort now being vetted in South Dakota; 52% oppose such a ban. Fifty-two percent (52%) also oppose public funding of election campaigns.

The rolling average of the last three Rasmussen Reports polls shows Allen leading Miller 54% to 30%. In our last three Allen-Webb polls, the incumbent leads 53% to 31%.

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