Two weeks ago, a Daily Kos / Research 2000 poll showed Sarah Palin beating Sen. Lisa Murkowski in a hypothetical 2010 Republican primary matchup 55 to 31, but a recent poll done by Dittman Research for The Alaska Standard blog shows the Nate Silver explains why we should be skeptical of the latter poll:
The Alaska Standard is an attractive and engaging blog, but its lead author, talk show host Dan Fagan, is most definitely not a fan of Mrs. Palin. In fact, although Fagan is a staunch conservative, virtually all of his posts are anti-Palin in some way, most recently regarding some controversy surrounding Levi Johnston. Fagan very much is a fan, however, of Lisa Murkowski. Not only that, but Murkowski has written an article for this website, and is listed as one of its contributors along the side panel. The pollster, David Dittman, is also listed as a contributor. So you'll excuse me if I don't find it terribly shocking that when this website decided to conduct a poll, it contained GREAT NEWS!!! FOR LISA MURKOWSKI!!!
Silver also notes that Alaska is a difficult state to poll--that's TEXT