Rasmussen: Kirk Leads Giannoulias 46% to 40% in IL Sen. Race

A new Rasmussen poll shows Mark Kirk opening up a 46% to 40% lead over Democrat Alexi Giannoulias:

Among voters not affiliated with either of the major parties, the Republican holds a sizable 59% to 22% lead.

In December, Giannoulias was up by three points over Kirk. In October, the two men were tied at 41% each. In mid-August, Kirk held a modest 41% to 38% lead over Giannoulias.[...]

Fifty-five percent (55%) of Illinois voters have a favorable opinion of Kirk, including 17% with a very favorable view of him. He’s viewed unfavorably by 33%, with just eight percent (8%) who have a very unfavorable opinion. Twelve percent (12%) are still not sure what they think of Kirk at this point.

For Giannoulias, favorables total 46%, with 12% who regard him very favorably. He is seen unfavorably by 39%, including 18% with a very unfavorable view. Fifteen percent (15%) have no opinion of the Democratic candidate for now.

Republicans came out hard against Giannoulias ties to corruption on election night. Now, via Ben Smith, the Chicago Sun Times reports that Illinois Democrats just can't catch a break: "Scott Lee Cohen -- a pawnbroker who shocked state Democratic leaders Tuesday night by winning the party's nomination for lieutenant governor -- was arrested about four-and-a-half years ago and accused of holding a knife to a former live-in girlfriend's neck, newly obtained court records show."