Despite the shaky outlook overall for Republicans in the Bluegrass State, Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R) campaign says a recent survey showed that the Minority Leader is somewhat immune from current party woes.

A McConnell-sponsored Voter/Consumer Research telephone survey of 602 voters, conducted April 9-11, suggested that about half of Kentucky voters agree “things in the Commonwealth have gotten off on the wrong track.” Support for President Bush continued to sag, according to the survey, hovering around 40 percent.

But in light of these woes, the study also found that 55 percent of Kentucky voters supported McConnell’s performance on the job.

The survey also tested some negatives on Louisville millionaire businessman Charlie Owen (D), rumored to be taking on McConnell in 2008. Responding to leading questions from the pollster, more than half of those surveyed agreed that Owen’s age (he is 70) and lack of experience would make them less likely to support the challenger.

The survey’s margin of error was 4 percent.
— Matthew Murray