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)
