GA-Gov: Barnes Narrowly Leads All Republicans

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PPP (2/26-28, registered voters):

Roy Barnes (D): 40
John Oxendine (R): 39
Undecided: 21

Roy Barnes (D): 41
Karen Handel (R): 36
Undecided: 23

Roy Barnes (D): 43
Nathan Deal (R): 38
Undecided: 19

Thurbert Baker (D): 33
John Oxendine (R): 42
Undecided: 25

Thurbert Baker (D): 33
Karen Handel (R): 40
Undecided: 27

Thurbert Baker (D): 30
Nathan Deal (R): 40
Undecided: 30
(MoE: ±4%)

Looks like it's a good year to be running as whatever party isn't in control. That's good for the GOP at the federal level, but in a lot of statehouses, that may be good for the Dems. Georgia may be one state where that's the case -- incumbent GOP Gov. Sonny Perdue, who's term-limited and not running, has 29/52 approvals. And the various Republicans running to replace him all trail their likely Democratic opponent, ex-Gov. Roy Barnes, according to PPP's first poll of the race.

PPP has one important caveat, though: Republicans are more undecided than Democrats in each of the three matchups, with the probable reason that Barnes has high name rec from his previous term as Governor, while the three leading GOPers (Insurance Comm. John Oxendine, former SoS Karen Handel, and Rep. (for a few more days) Nathan Deal). The numbers may move more in a Republican direction as the candidates become better-known. Still, Barnes is starting out in a good place, and it looks like he may have picked the right year to try and get his foot back in the door.

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/6499/gagov-barnes-narrowly-leads-all-republicans