Poll: Graham in good shape in SC

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is in good shape in his reelection battle, according to a new Palmetto Poll.

Graham, who trounced a weak field of Tea Party opponents in the primary, leads Democrat Brad Hutto by 45 percent to 33 percent, with libertarian reality TV show star Thomas Ravenel (R) at 10 percent in the poll.

{mosads}Graham remains unpopular statewide, with a 39 percent approval rating and a 44 percent disapproval rating, according to the poll. But after winning his primary, he wasn’t expected to face a tough reelection battle.

The poll also finds Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), also facing reelection, has a higher approval rate with African-Americans than most other Republicans in the state.

Scott, who is vying to win his first full term and be the first black senator elected in the state, has a 23 percent approval rating with African-Americans, higher than the 5 percent to 10 percent of the vote most Republicans draw at the ballot box from black voters.

The live-caller poll of 650 likely voters was conducted earlier this month.