If you're an incumbent Governor trailing your challenger by a double-digit margin less than a week out from election day, you probably would rather not see your numbers drop from the upper-30s to 40 percent to the mid-30s. But such is the case for Kentucky's Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher, who is polling way down in the mid-30s in two new polls matching him up against Democrat Steve Beshear.

(R)(D)Fletcher/
RudolphBeshear/
MongiardoSurveyUSA
10/27-293660Bluegrass Poll
10/26-293356Research 2000
10/22-244055SurveyUSA
10/19-213858SurveyUSA
10/1040561-Month Average
10/10-10/2937.457.06-Month Average
5/23-10/2936.454.6
Earlier polls below the fold...

It really just isn't so good for an incumbent to average nearly 20 points down against his challenger. Something could happen between now and Tuesday, when Kentuckians go to the polls -- but it's not terribly likely at this point. What does remain to be seen, it seems, it whether the Democrats will get enough momentum out of this gubernatorial contest to make good on their very real potential to go after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell next fall.

(R)(D)Fletcher/
RudolphBeshear/
MongiardoInsider Advantage (.doc)
9/24-253545Bluegrass Poll
9/13-183555Research 2000
9/10-133956SurveyUSA
9/8-103958SurveyUSA
8/4-63758Lane Report
7/25-8/23149SurveyUSA
7/14-163659Insider Advantage
7/8-93841Rasmussen Reports
5/24-253551SurveyUSA
5/23-243462