PRIMARY DAMAGE – AT 8:19 A.M. ET:  In a strange way, it's good news.  Republicans are waking up to the reality that November may not quite be the pushover that some had assumed. 

The left-wing Dems are not playing dead.  Voters are not loving the GOP more than they did before, and wavering Dem voters seem to be drifting back to their rotting roots.  Maybe this is the spur the Republicans need to get moving.

In Pennsylvania, newly anointed Democratic Senate candide Joe Sestak, who slew Arlen Specter on Tuesday, has jumped into the lead over Republican Pat Toomey.  From RCP:

Coming off a high-profile, successful Democratic Senate primary against Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Sestak now finds himself leading Republican Pat Toomey in the general election, a new Rasmussen poll finds (May 19, 500 LV, MoE +/- 4.5%). On May 6, before both won their respective primaries Tuesday, Toomey held a 2-point lead.

Sestak 46
Toomey 42
Und 9

The post-primary bounce for Sestak is partly explained by his increasing support among Democrats, 80% of whom now back him (it was 64% two weeks ago). Toomey's support among Republicans did not change. Independents support Toomey by a 41%-32%.

Obama's approval rating is at 47%, with 52% disapproving.

COMMENT:  Now, this is a post-primary bounce.  Sestak has been in the news, and no longer has to divide favor with Specter.  But Pat Toomey, who must win in November, has work to do.  Pennsylvania is traditionally a blue state, but Republicans have won statewide.  This will be a tough, grueling fight with no result guaranteed. 

May 21, 2010