Research 2000 has released the first poll testing Indiana Republican Governor Mitch Daniels' re-election prospects, and finds the incumbent standing on shaky ground.

The poll shows Daniels leading Democratic challenger and former US Rep. Jill Long Thompson by a 46% to 38% margin — putting the incumbent under 50%. Daniels, in his first term, has had a rough ride in the polls due to controversy surrounding his initiatives to privatize Indiana's toll road and move the whole state into following daylight savings time.

The poll also finds that only 39% of likely voters would choose to re-elect Daniels, while 37% would vote to replace him, and 21% would "consider voting for another candidate." Among Democratic voters, Long Thompson leads her primary challengers with 41%, with state Senator Richard Young earning 16% and businessman Jim Schellinger with 10%.

Now that Evan Bayh has decided not to run for President, will he also leave the Senate? Human Events reports that Bayh is considering a run in 2008 for his old job as Governor of Indiana — which he reportedly enjoyed more than being a Senator — against incumbent Republican Mitch Daniels. Daniels has seen his popularity fall due to budget cuts and other factors, and has been coy on whether or not he'll even run again. Should Bayh opt to run for Governor, his candidacy would naturally take him out of the running for the Vice Presidential slot.