A new Indiana Senate poll from Research 2000 for Daily Kos finds Sen. Evan Bayh (D) with a sizable advantage over former Sen. Dan Coats (R) as the latter considers entering the race.

General Election Matchups (600 LVs, 2/8-10, MoE +/- 4%)
Bayh 55 -- Coats 35 -- Und 10
Bayh 53 -- Hostettler 37 - Und 10

Against Coats, Bayh actually has an even greater lead among independent voters -- 64 to 24 -- and even gets 26 percent of the Republican vote. Former Rep. John Hostettler does marginally better here; a Rasmussen survey showed him much closer to Bayh.

Since Coats announced he was considering the race, Democrats have unloaded on him over his Washington ties, and circulated this video featuring him talking about potentially taking up residence in North Carolina. This local news report shows the work Coats has ahead of him as he reintroduces himself to Hoosier voters.

Favorable Ratings
Bayh 61 / 33
Coats 38 / 34
Hostettler 40 / 33

Gov. Daniels 56 / 34
Sen. Lugar 64 / 29
Pres. Obama 46 / 49

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