Coleman’s support dips; Klobuchar remains popular

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., has seen his approval rating drop below 50 percent, according to a new SurveyUSA/KSTP Poll.

According to the poll, 49 percent of Minnesotans approve of the job Coleman is doing in the Senate, while 43 percent disapprove. Seven percent were undecided.

Surprisingly, Coleman draws slightly stronger support from women than from men. Fifty-two percent of Minnesota women approve of Coleman’s performance, compared with 46 percent of Minnesota men.

Coleman had strong support from his fellow Republicans, 69 percent of whom approved of him. Democrats disapproved of Coleman, with 39 percent giving him a favorable rating and 55 percent unfavorable. Coleman also did poorly among independents, receiving approval from 44 percent, while 49 percent disapproved of his performance.

Coleman’s weak support is troubling for the first-term senator, who faces re-election in the fall, most likely against attorney Michael Ciresi or writer Al Franken.

Freshman Sen. Amy Klobuchar, DFL-Minn., received strong approval, with 64 percent of Minnesotans approving of her job performance, and only 27 percent disapproving. Nine percent were undecided. Klobuchar received strong approval from Democrats, 79 percent of whom gave her positive marks, and independents, who gave her a 58 percent approval rating. Thirty-six percent of Republicans approved of her, while 52 percent disapproved.

The poll was conducted from February 15-17. Six hundred adults were interviewed. The poll’s margin of error was