Incumbent U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow is maintaining a stable lead in her re-election bid over Republican challenger Michael Bouchard. The most recent Rasmussen Reports election survey shows Stabenow leading Bouchard 55% to 39% (see crosstabs). When leaners are added into the mix, each candidate jumps a point (56% to 40%).

Bouchard’s numbers remain unchanged since a poll taken earlier this month while Stabenow has dropped a point.

Forty-seven percent (47%) Michigan voters say they’re “certain” to vote for her. One-third (33%) they’re “certain” to vote for Bouchard.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of voters feel favorably toward Stabenow—33% report a “very favorable” opinion of the incumbent while 21% have a ”very unfavorable” opinion.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of voter rate Bouchard favorably including 19% with a “very favorable” opinion. Forty-five percent (45%) rate him unfavorably including 23% with a “very unfavorable” impression.

Three-quarters (75%) of Michigan voters say they’re following the developments in the Mark Foley story closely—39% are following the story “very closely.” Despite a clear majority paying attention to the Foley story, 58% say the situation will not impact their votes next month.

A plurality of voters (43%) rate the Republican leadership’s handling of the situation as “poor,” but when asked how Democrats would have fared had Foley been a Democrat, 45% say they would have handled the situation “about the same.” Those numbers are roughly comparable to the national average.

Forty-three percent (43%) believe that inappropriate relationships between members of Congress and staff are common, 33% disagree and nearly one-quarter (24%) aren’t sure.

Sixty-two percent (62%) consider North Korea’s nuclear developments entirely separate from the war on terror, 22% say the two are linked and 16% aren’t sure. Thirty-six percent (36%) believe the U.S. and its allies are winning the war on terror and 31% believe the terrorists are winning. Twenty-six percent (26%) say neither side has the advantage.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.