Sen. Begich leads in GOP poll

Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) leads a number of Republicans from the state in hypothetical match-ups, according to new numbers from GOP pollster Harper Polling.

Begich leads Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell (R) by 44 to 34 percent and holds a gaping 52 to 29 percent lead against 2010 Senate nominee Joe Miller (R), two Republicans who've indicated interest in the race. He also leads former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) by 47 to 40 percent. Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell (R), who hasn't shown any interest in the race, leads Begich by 46 to 40 percent.

The freshman senator narrowly won his 2008 election in the red state, but his approval rating in the state is fairly strong, with 48 percent of voters approving of him to 39 to disapprove. His edge against Treadwell, though, is largely built on the latter's low name recognition: 40 percent of voters have no opinion of the lieutenant governor. He's likely to face a tough challenge unless Miller emerges as the GOP's nominee.

The automated poll of 1157 likely voters was conducted from Jan. 29-30 and has a margin of error of 2.88 percent.

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