A new Public Policy Polling poll shows Democrat Gov. Joe Manchin leading Republican John Raese by five points, 51 percent to 46 percent.
While 61 percent of likely voters disapprove of President Obama, 70 percent approve of Manchin. Manchin, who has come out in favor of partially repealing President Obama’s health-care bill and has vehemently argued against cap-and-trade, has also made inroads among GOP voters, with 19 percent of Republicans backing Manchin.
Raese has also been hurt by his favorability remaining 41 percent, while his unfavorability rose to 47 percent from 35 percent.
The survey, which included 1,676 likely voters in West Virginia, was conducted October 30 – 31. The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.