* I agree that the Joe Walsh vs. Tammy Duckworth race is closer than pretty much anybody thought it would be. And the $810,000 just put into the race by a Super PAC for Walsh ain’t gonna be a bad thing for him.

But just to be clear, I’m told Walsh is trailing by five points in the We Ask America poll. The article below kinda makes it seem like he’s ahead.

Anyway, check it out…

The survey reportedly was taken in late August by the Tarrance Group, an Alexandria, Va.-based firm that usually works for Republicans. According to a source who has seen it, it shows Ms. Duckworth up just 47 percent to 45 percent.

Tarrance hasn’t called me back, and I’d sure like to have more details.

But the Tarrance survey is not inconsistent with a We Ask America survey — the group is closely affiliated with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association — that showed a five-point Walsh margin, I’m told.

Team Duckworth isn’t releasing its numbers. A source there tells me that she’s up more than five points and that Mr. Walsh has yet to crack the 40 percent mark — a critical shortfall, if true. But that source also terms the race “competitive” and says it’s “not going to be a blowout.”

Discuss.