According to a new poll taken for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Senator Collins lead in the polls has shrunk and Allen now trails only 49% to 41%,with 10 percent undecided. Collins' poll numbers have consistently shown her with a double digit lead as have polls from third party sources.

It would not be out of the question that the numbers are getting tighter, polls across the country have seen republicans taking a beating over the financial crisis. The DSCC poll  is not exactly a disinterested third party, and these numbers may be more politics than fact. However, the DSCC is smart to generate this poll.  This will likely bolster late fundraising efforts and give the Allen folks a much needed boost in the final weeks of the campaign.

The poll also has Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama leading John McCain 52% to 35%. The poll of 600 likely voters was taken September 30 to October 2 by the Mellman Group and has a 4% margin of error.