At 88, Robert Byrd recently became the longest-serving member of the U.S. Senate, and it looks like the Democrat will have no trouble extending his tenure into 2007. Senator Byrd now leads Republican businessman John Raese 56% to 31%. Not long before Raese won the GOP primary, conducted in May, the Rasmussen Reports election poll was showing Byrd with a 57% to 34% lead.

Byrd has collected almost $4 million in campaign funds so far, including more than $800,000 from members of MoveOn.org. His opposition to the War in Iraq is a major reason for the national support of his campaign. No doubt the large amount of porkbarrel he has famously funneled to West Virginia helps generate enthusiasm at home.

The Senator is viewed favorably by 71% of likely West Virginia voters, including 45% of Republicans, 86% of Democrats, and 76% of unaffiliated voters. Raese is viewed favorably by 46% of all voters.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of the state's likely voters name the economy as the most important election issue to them of the six we mentioned. In a virtual tie for second place are national security (17%) and the War in Iraq (16%).

Lowest on the totem pole is same-sex marriage (6%), an issue of low priority in most of the states we've been polling recently. Nonetheless, 80% of West Virginia voters say marriage should be defined as a relationship between a man and a woman. Seventy percent (70%) say the Bible is literally true.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) say "yes" to the proposition that the political system is badly broken, including 42% of Republicans and 70% of Democrats.

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