Chris Coons (D) has his work cut out for him as the likely Democratic nominee in the Delaware Senate race. A new Rasmussen survey (500 LVs, 2/22, MoE +/- 4.5%) out this morning shows Rep. Mike Castle (R) with a substantial lead. But the good news for Democrats is that Coons, the New Castle County Executive, has begun to narrow the gap since jumping in.

General Election Matchup
Castle 53 (-3 vs. last poll, 1/25)
Coons 32 (+5)
Und 8

Castle, elected statewide 13 times in Delaware as a Congressman, governor and lieutenant governor, has a 65 percent favorable rating compared to just 30 who view him unfavorably. Coons is viewed favorably by 43 percent and unfavorably by 35 with another 22 percent saying they're not sure. Fifty-one percent of Delawareans approve of the job President Obama is doing, while 48 percent disapprove.

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