Former Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes’ (D) campaign distributed a memo Wednesday touting her chances six months out from Election Day. Barnes, who is challenging Rep. Sam Graves (R), recently locked horns on television and radio with the incumbent for the first time.

A Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee “Red to Blue” candidate, Barnes said she is “practically matching” Graves’ fundraising clip this cycle, taking in more than $1.4 million. She also cited Sen. Claire McCaskill’s (D) winning 2006 margin in the district. McCaskill’s defeat of then-Sen. Jim Talent (R) last cycle first opened Democrats’ eyes to opportunities in Graves’ district, which President Bush won twice.

Barnes’ camp also argued in the memo that an expected dismal November for Republicans should help her cause.

“After three consecutive special election defeats in districts President Bush twice won easily, it is abundantly clear that the American people have turned their backs and shut the door on the special interest driven agenda of the Republican party,” the Barnes campaign wrote in its memo.

Meanwhile, a new automated poll out Wednesday showed Graves with a significant lead over Barnes, 49 percent to 39 percent.

The SurveyUSA ballot test, taken on Tuesday, surveyed 796 likely general election voters and had a 4.3-point margin of error.

— Matthew Murray