New poll: McDonnell has small lead

The latest poll of the 2009 governor's race has at least one similarity to other surveys done recently -- it shows Republican Bob McDonnell ahead of Democrat Creigh Deeds.

Where it differs with other polls is the size of McDonnell's lead.

The findings in a Clarus Research Group poll released Tuesday lists the contest as 42-37 in favor of the former attorney general, with 20 percent undecided.

McDonnell's 5-point lead is greater than the survey's 4 percent margin of error, but considerably smaller than other poll results that placed him ahead of Deeds by double digits.

It's worth noting that several of the recent polls showing McDonnell with a larger advantage rely on automated phone surveys to produce their findings.

For the Clarus survey, 600 Virginia voters were interviewed by phone Sept. 10-14. Pollsters generally view findings based on live interviews as more reliable than those gathered through an automated system.

In the other statewide races, the poll places Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling ahead of Democrat Jody Wagner 38-32 in the lieutenant governor contest; and state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R) atop Del. Steve Shannon (D) 35-30 in the attorney general race.

-- Julian Walker

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