In Virginia's fierce U.S. Senate campaign, Republican Senator George Allen's once double-digit lead over Democrat James Webb has virtually vanished. Allen now leads 49% to 48%—with leaners added, 50% to 48% (see crosstabs).

After our October 12 poll, we switched the race from the "Leans Republican" to "Toss-Up" column in our Senate Balance of Power summary. That's where it stays. We now count five toss-up races for U.S. Senate.

Voters are also more lukewarm toward Webb personally. Allen earns relatively high "very favorable" (32%) as well as "very unfavorable" (31%) ratings, versus 20% and 21% for Webb. But Webb's overall favorables are slightly higher.

Another bit of good news for the Senator is that Virginia voters are slightly more inclined to trust Republicans than Democrats on both Iraq and the economy.

Senator Allen lost his double-digit lead in August, after his infamous "macaca" remark to an opposition campaign worker provoked wide controversy and put him on the defensive. Further charges and countercharges followed—as Allen's lead slipped from eleven percentage points in July to five in August, seven in September, six on October 1, and three on October 12.

The latest volley is a press release issued October 26 by the Allen campaign which claims that passages in Webb's novels exemplify a "pattern of disrespectful treatment toward women."

The election is November 7.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.