That’s a big reason why Joseph Kern, who works for his family’s moving and storage business in Hopewell, is planning to back Kaine this time despite having voted for Allen in some past races.
“It’s a likability issue,” said Kern, 48.
Overall, Kaine is viewed favorably by 57 percent of likely voters and unfavorably by 33 percent. Allen’s rating is 50 percent favorable, 37 percent unfavorable.
The poll was conducted among a random sample of 1,504 adults from Oct. 22 through Oct. 26 on conventional and cellular phones. Among the sample of 1,228 likely voters, the poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
In the Post poll, Allen has the support of only 2 percent of Democrats, while Kaine draws 9 percent of Republicans. The two men are essentially tied among independents, and there may be little room for movement in the last week of the race: 84 percent of Kaine voters say their choice is definite, while 85 percent of Allen backers say the same.
The gender gap in the race continues to widen, with Kaine leading among women by 18 points and Allen holding a narrow four-point edge with men. Allen has the backing of 56 percent of white likely voters, while Kaine is supported by 77 percent of non-whites, including 86 percent of African Americans.
The close-in D.C. suburbs remain strong for Kaine, giving him a 28-point lead and offsetting an eight-point margin for Allen in the Northern Virginia exurbs. Allen has a double-digit advantage in the region that includes central and western Virginia, while Kaine has similar leads in the Richmond and Tidewater areas.
One bright spot for Allen is seniors. Likely voters 65 and older now lean to the Republican by 10 points, while the September Post poll showed the two men essentially tied.
Sharon McCormick of Midlothian, 65, said she plans to vote for Allen, as well as Mitt Romney, because she feels both Republicans will be more fiscally responsible than their Democratic rivals.
“We just keep spending money like there’s no tomorrow, and, gee, wouldn’t it be great to help everybody out and just keep handing money out?” McCormick said. “But when the money’s not there, you just can’t do it.”
A number of voters who expressed strong opinions on the presidential race were fuzzy on the Senate contest. Some struggled to name one or both candidates, despite an onslaught of TV ads for both. A middle-aged man who said he planned to vote Republican for Senate needed a moment to come up with the candidate’s name.
“Hang on — Allen!” And his opponent? “Griffin?” he guessed.
A young woman who said she planned to vote Democratic in the race wasn’t sure of his name either.
“Is it, like, Tim Kaine?” she asked. She could not name the Republican.
Polling director Jon Cohen, polling analyst Scott Clement and staff writers Errin Haines, Rachel S. Karas and Laura Vozzella contributed to this report.
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