The first two rounds of

The first two rounds of polling subsequent to Paul Wellstone’s fatal accident have been completed. As reported in the Washington Times this morning, and as posted below, the Republican Senatorial Committee’s poll, conducted Sunday night, showed Walter Mondale with a 45%-43% lead over Norm Coleman. The Minnesota Republican Party did its own polling Sunday and Monday nights, using a different pollster, which showed the race to be a dead heat. Speculation is that the “Princess Diana effect” has peaked and is now ebbing. The party’s polls also indicate that the outpouring of sympathy for the Wellstone family has had no impact at all on the other Minnesota races. Gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty and House candidates Mark Kennedy and John Kline continue to lead their races.