A newly released (5-11) Rasmussen poll of the Senate race in NC finds Repub incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole in a dead heat with her Democratic challenger Kay Hagan, actually trailing 48%-47%. This is just another illustration of the big trouble the GOP faces come Nov, they could be looking at significant losses in both houses of Congress.

Any incumbent who polls below 50% early in the campaign cycle is considered potentially vulnerable. Dole is far from the only Republican incumbent in that position this year. In addition to NC, Democrats have at least a chance of picking up Republican Senate seats in Virginia, NH, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, Alaska, Minnesota, Kentucky and Texas.

It's a good year to be a Democrat.