On the day of the first and only Pennsylvania Senate debate, Rasmussen Reports released a poll showing Republican challenger Tom Smith virtually tied with incumbent Democrat Bob Casey.

According to Rasmussen Reports, Casey leads Smith by one point, 46%-45%, and nine percent of those surveyed were undecided. In Rasmussen's last poll on October 9, Casey had a four-point lead over Smith, so this poll is more evidence that Smith is surging. A Wenzel Strategies poll earlier this week found Smith, who had been trailing Casey by 18 points in the summer, within one point of Casey as well.

Forty-seven percent of those surveyed in the Rasmussen poll viewed Smith favorably, while 34% viewed him unfavorably.

Only 43% of Pennsylvanians viewed Casey favorably while 42% viewed the incumbent unfavorably. 

Rasmussen Reports surveyed 500 likely Pennsylvania voters on October 24, and the poll's margin of error was +/- 4.5 percentage points.