The Hiller Instinct: Suffolk Poll: Brown, Warren Senate race

The Scott Brown-Elizabeth Warren Senate race is one of November's marquee matchups, and it's already in full swing:

'It is not the establishment's seat...it is not the Democrats' seat...it is still the people's seat - it's your seat!" Senator Scott Brown said.

"This is all about the middle class. It isn't just about the latest recession- the middle class has been chipped at, squeezed and hammered for an entire generation now," Elizabeth Warren said.

If the election were today, our exclusive 7News-Suffolk University Poll says Brown would win it...comfortably...with 49%, while Warren would get 40%, with 9% undecided...

"Presidential election, it's Massachusetts, and here we go again. It all comes down to independents. Brown is leading Warren decisively among independents," Suffolk University pollster David Paleologos said.

Our poll also tells us why Brown is ahead right now.

He's viewed favorably by 52% of likely voters, unfavorably by 28%...

While Warren is seen favorably by 35%, and unfavorably by 28%.

The words voters use most often to describe Brown are "Republican," "independent" and "fair"...and more voters see him as a leader than a follower in the Senate.

Voters are getting to know Warren, and the words they use most often used to describe her are "intelligent," "liberal" and "consumer advocate"...and more voters believe she has the experience to be a senator than don't.

But--a big potential problem for her: asked if Massachusetts benefits by having both parties represent it in the senate, 60% said yes...36% no.

"The most amazing finding here, is that among registered Democrats it was breaking 50/50. And these are Elizabeth Warren's core support," Paleologos said.

Here's how I see it: Elizabeth Warren is a promise, Scott Brown is a person, and nothing is more personal than politics. Warren has everything Democratic behind her, but even in Massachusetts, that's not everything there is.

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