It says something about this cycle when you see a poll of a GOP House challenger tied with a Democrat incumbent in a swing district and you think, “Aw, bummer, they’re only tied.”

Rep. Zack Space (D) is “in an extremely vulnerable position” in Ohio’s 18th district, according to internal polling released this afternoon by the National Republican Campaign Committee.

The survey conducted by the Republican pollster On Message, Inc., shows Space in a statistical dead heat with his challenger, state Sen. Bob Gibbs. Each candidate earned the support of 43 percent of 400 voters polled from the 18th district Aug. 3 and 4.

“Bob Gibbs is generating momentum across eastern Ohio. I think this shows that Zack Space’s loyal support for Nancy Pelosi and her job-killing agenda is costing him,” said NRCC spokesman Tory Mazzola. “As a result, we’ve seen this race move from an uphill fight to a real tossup.”

Asked whether they think “Zack Space has earned another term as our U.S. Congressman,” 48 percent of respondents said “no,” compared to 38 who said “yes,” and 15 percent didn’t know.

Additionally, 62 percent said they opposed “President Obama’s program to improve our environment by capping carbon emissions.”

Space voted for a global climate change bill that called for a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gases.

Just think of the inherent challenge of being a Republican candidate named “Robert Gibbs” at this moment.