10 for Collins and 10 for Allen

Ten was the magic number this past week.  Rasmussen released his May numbers on the Allen v Collins race and reported numbers that put Tom Allen with ten percentage points of Collins, at 52% for Collins versus 42% for Allen  The latest Rasmussen numbers reflect a six-point gain for Allen, and the first real movement since last Spring.  In April the point spread was 16%, so not an insignificant gain.  Rasmussen notes that, "While Collins' numbers have slipped a bit this month, she remains in better position than many of her Republican colleagues."   

I'm sure that is little comfort for the Collins team in a year that pundits are hinting could be a real wash out for republicans.

Meanwhile, Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post, has downgraded the Allen v Collins race to number 10 in the top 10 vulnerable races.  In moving the Collins race further down the vulnerable ladder, Cillizza commented, "There is a simple fact dominating this race: voters like Sen. Susan Collins (R) and overwhelmingly approve of the job she has done in the Senate"  Cillizza also recognized the strength of the Allen candidacy adding, "Rep. Tom Allen (D) is a good candidate and has a very solid team around him. But, it's hard to see why voters would fire Collins."

Of course, with the election more than 5 months away, polls and lists are just that -- polls and lists. Except that with better poll numbers -- Allen will likely gets a boost with his fundraising around the country, while Collins will also be able to keep the money flowing in to her coffers as the campaign team uses the tightening numbers to help motivate their donors.