Cook Political Report: Connecticut Senate race now a toss-up

The Connecticut US Senate race for an open seat is now rated by the Cook Political Report (paid registration required) as a "toss-up." Two nights ago the New York Times revealed that presumptive Democratic nominee Richard Blumenthal had lied about serving in Vietnam. Cook refers to the state's attorney general as the "strongest candidate that Democrats could have recruited" and "arguably the most popular Democrat in the state."

Which has Blumenthal set up for a mighty fall. "There is now a very long and deep scratch in Blumenthal's Teflon," Cook argues, "and the tougher the Teflon, the more damaging the scratch." There is speculation that Blumenthal might drop out of the race, but Cook believes Blumenthal will hang on.

And the numbers back Cook. In a Rasmussen poll released today, Blumenthal holds just a three point lead over his chief Republican rival, Linda McMahon.

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