POLLS, POLLS, POLLS. A whole slew of Mason-Dixon polls have been released over the last 24 hours, and most of them suggest Democrats are poised to have a very good year:

* In Maryland, Ben Cardin (D) leads Michael Steele (R), 47% to 41%

* In Missouri, Jim Talent (R) is tied with Claire McCaskill (D), 43% to 43%

* In Montana, Jon Tester (D) leads Conrad Burns (R), 47% to 40%

* In New Jersey, Bob Menendez (D) leads Tom Kean Jr. (R), 44% to 41%

* In Ohio, Sherrod Brown (D) leads Mike DeWine (R), 45% to 43%

* In Pennsylvania, Bob Casey (D) leads Rick Santorum (R), 49% to 40%

* In Rhode Island, Sheldon Whitehouse (D) leads Lincoln Chafee (R), 42% to 41%

* In Tennessee, Rep. Harold Ford (D) leads Bob Corker (R), 43% to 42%

* In Washington, Maria Cantwell (D) leads Mike McGavick (R), 50% to 40%.

Democrats need a net gain of six seats to win back the Senate. If all of these races go the Democrats’ way (including Missouri, which is now tied), that’s a net gain of six.

–Steve Benen (crossposted at Midterm Madness)

Sam Rosenfeld, a former web editor for the Prospect, is visiting assistant professor of government at Wesleyan University, beginning in September.