Rasmussen finds former GOP Congressman Rob Simmons is still Dodd’s toughest opponent, leading Dodd by 13% — 48% to 35%.

The newest candidate in the race, Linda McMahon — the ex-CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, also leads Dodd 44% to 38%. But Dodd is now so unpopular, even “long-shot” candidate Peter Shiff, president of Euro Pacific Capital, leads Dodd — 40% to 39%.

What is most notable about the Rasmussen poll is McMahon’s high disapproval rating. More voters have a very unfavorable opinion of McMahon. While Simmons is seen very favorably by 12% and very unfavorably by 8%, McMahon’s very favorables total 14% and her very unfavorables are 17%. These findings comes on the heels of McMahon’s expensive promotional advertising campaign conducted in the absence of any other candidate advertising. Rasmussen considers the number of people with strong opinions more significant than the total favorable/unfavorable numbers “at this point in a campaign.”

This is a big problem for McMahon and evidence that a major block of voters is already predisposed against her. The recent string of negative news stories about her will only feed that sentiment.

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