Poll: Al Franken in strong shape for reelection

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) is in strong shape for reelection, according to a poll from the Democratic-afilliated Public Policy Polling.

Minnesota voters give Franken a job approval mark of 51 to 42 percent, pretty strong numbers for an incumbent of either party. He also comes close to the 50 percent mark against a number of potential opponents, the threshold at which incumbents are usually safe.

Franken leads Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.) by 49 to 41 percent, and has a 50 to 39 percent lead against Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.), the member insiders tell The Hill may be the party's best option against the senator. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) trails by 54 to 40 percent in a hypothetical match-up and would have a big lead in a potential GOP primary, though she has made no signals that she has any interest in running for the seat.

The only Republican who would immediately force a tough race with Franken is the man he narrowly beat in 2008, former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.). But Coleman has ruled out a Senate bid, and is said to be eyeing a run for governor instead.

The automated poll of 1,065 Minnesota registered voters was conducted from Jan. 18-20 and had a margin of error of 3.0 percentage points.

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