Rasmussen IL-SEN: After Primaries, Kirk Takes the Lead

Rasmussen Illinois Poll conducted 2/3 of 500 LVs:

Rep. Mark Kirk (R) 46%
Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D) 40%

This poll was conducted yesterday, the day after Tuesday's Primaries, and Rasmussen finds Kirk leapfrogging Giannoulias from a 3-point deficit last week to a 6-point lead now.  With Primary season, it's worth noting a general caution for any polls taken less than about 2 or 3 weeks after the Primary, as those numbers tend to get very volatile and don't usually reflect where the race will be at the end (the polls that showed Creigh Deeds tied in VA after he won the Primary last year, for instance).  But this poll could have some troubling signs for Giannoulias if it's correct-most notably that Kirk leads by a 59%-22% chasm among Independents.  Also notice the very fav/very unfav. splits: 17%/8% for Kirk and 12%/18% for Giannoulias,  If that trend continues, it could be a sign that Kirk's moderate, affable personality is paying dividends, while perhaps Giannouias is suffering from his questionable banking ties.  But even if it's right, a 6-point lead for a Republican in a state this Democratic, this far from Election Day, is far from a slam-dunk.

SLIGHT ADVANTAGE FOR GIANNOULIAS.