In its latest survey (742 RVs, 4/8-11, MoE +/- 3.6%) Public Policy Polling (D) again finds Sen. Richard Burr (R) ahead of his potential Democratic opponents. But it also sees a familiar pattern, with the incumbent Republican's approval rating slipping, and the potential for a real Democratic challenge to emerge after the primary as it did in the 2008 race between Elizabeth Dole (R) and now-Sen. Kay Hagan (D).

General Election Matchups
Burr 43 (+2 vs. last poll, 3/12-15)
Marshall 37 (+1)
Und 20 (-3)

Burr 43 (unch)
Cunningham 35 (+3)
Und 22 (-3)

Burr 43 (unch)
Lewis 35 (+3)
Und 22 (-3)

Burr 43 (+2)
Generic D 38 (-1)
Und 19 (-1)

Burr's net job rating has slipped 14 points since March: 32 percent now approve of his performance while 41 percent disapprove. Most voters continue to be unfamiliar with the Democratic challengers, as they were with Hagan in '08. Of course the climate this year should be more favorable to Republicans than it was then, when Obama ultimately carried the state.

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