Wow

You know the Democrats are in tough times when a politician - a sitting governor no less - who is disliked by nobody in his state is holding only a slim lead over his virtually unknown challenger.  West Virginia?  Is this even possible?

Keep Manchin in the Mansion?
Another Democratic Senate seat is in danger.
By John Fund, Wall Street Journal

As if Democrats didn't have enough headaches, it now appears another of their Senate seats is in play.

Rasmussen Reports has a new survey out showing West Virginia Democratic Governor Joe Manchin with a slimmer-than-expected lead in November's special election to fill out the unexpired part of the late Robert Byrd's term. The results prompted pollster Scott Rasmussen to move the seat into the "leans Democratic" category.

Mr. Manchin was expected to coast to victory due to his 70% approval numbers and near-universal name recognition, but Rasmussen now shows him beating Republican John Raese by only six points, 48% to 42%. Another finding by Rasmussen perhaps suggests why the race has become closer: 70% of West Virginians say they disapprove of President Obama, one of his highest negative ratings in any state. [link]

Manchin is, by all accounts, a decent guy with (almost) conservative positions on the issues that matter most.  And people there like him.  And few know his opponent.  So, for Manchin to be struggling - in a state that was deep blue not that long ago - is a shock.

Obama's magic sure seems to be working.  Just another instance.