That's not all the bad news for Roberts bursting forth in this poll. While he's liked more than he's disliked (48%- 29%) Roberts' job approval rating is abysmal for an incumbent who has been in various offices for more than 20 years- 47% of Kansans think he's doing a good job while a full 43% say he's doing a bad job.

The head-to-head remains the same 12-point spread we've seen in two recent polls- 48%- 36%- but there are a couple of things worth noting. First, this is the first poll to put Roberts under 50%, and anytime an incumbent is under 50% you know there is something very bad brewing. Second, those numbers are with a huge name recognition advantage for Roberts- 93% for the incumbent U.S. Senator, compared to only 56% for Slattery. That means our good friend Pat doesn't have anywhere to

With everything else this poll said, is there any wonder 53% of Kansans agree with the following:

Pat Roberts has been a part of the government in Washington, DC almost 40 years; it's time for a change and to give someone with new ideas a chance.

One last number, and one that might just shock some folks: John McCain is pulling 45% with Barack Obama only 4% behind him at 41%.

Things in Kansas aren't nearly as bleak as they used to be, and the pollster is right to give credit to Governor Kathleen Sebelius for reinvigorating the Kansas Democratic Party. She, along with Congressman Dennis Moore, helped lay the groundwork for Congresswoman Nancy Boyda's amazing win in 2006 and now, hopefully Jim Slattery's election to the United States Senate.

The polls makes it might clear we aren't there yet- but it, along with all the others that have been run, certainly does show us Pat Roberts is going to need more than his cover-up skills and his memory pills to remain a United States Senator in this cycle.