Poll: Matthews Within Striking Distance of Specter

MSNBC host Chris Matthews is within the margin of error in a potential race to knock off Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) in 2010, a new independent poll showed Thursday.

A new Rasmussen Reports poll shows Specter maintaining a lead, but with a narrow 46-43 percent advantage over Matthews. Previous independent polls have showed a close race, though with a wider margin separating the two.

The poll, conducted December 2, has a 4.5 percent margin of error.

Equally concerning for Specter may be that only 70 percent of Republicans in Pennsylvania said they supported Specter for reelection. Specter’s 2004 primary challenger, Club for Growth Chairman Pat Toomey, has said he may challenge Specter again in 2010’s GOP primary.

Matthews has been rumored to be mulling a run to challenge Specter, and yesterday visited Camden, New Jersey–a fundraising hotspot for Pennsylvania candidates–only fueling speculation that the “Hardball” host is gearing up to run.