Schaffer And Udall Tied In Senate Poll

That the numbers are statistically tied is not much of a shock for those outside Rep. Mark Udall's cheerleading section who have prematurely declared Colorado's open Senate race all but won (h/t Mount Virtus):

Democrat Mark Udall and Republican Bob Schaffer are in a close race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Wayne Allard in what is shaping up to be one of the top races in next year's election, according to a poll released today by pollster Floyd Ciruli.

Ciruli said there are still 14 months to go until the election, but both campaigns are working hard to get the $30 million Ciruli believes will be spent on the race before it's over.

According to Ciruli's poll, Udall has 36 percent of voter support and Schaffer 35 percent, with 9 percent hoping someone else will join the race and 21 percent undecided.

As with all early polls, the results are both telling and inconclusive at the same time. Even some on Colorado's left acknowledge that the poll is "legit" and attribute some of the erosion in Udall's numbers to anger within his base over his MoveOn.org condemnation.

Udall reported his 3rd quarter fundraising numbers, and Schaffer's report should be out soon.