Read 'em and weep. And we're not talking about a poker hand here, but a new ajc poll. -- Perdue vulnerable, very vulnerable to Democratic challengers.

Gov. Sonny Perdue may have a tough re-election battle in 2006, a new poll suggests.

If the gubernatorial election were held today, Perdue would be in a statistical dead heat with either Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor or Secretary of State Cathy Cox, according to a poll done last week by Zogby International for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB-TV.

In the poll, Perdue led Taylor 44 percent to 41 percent and was tied with Cox at 41 percent each.

University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock said the poll should be cause concern for Perdue and be a source of hope for Democrats.

"Head to head, (Taylor or Cox) are in striking distance," Bullock said.

Bullock said the poll numbers support his theory that Cox could be the stronger challenger for Perdue because she has the ability to draw female voters from both parties. In her position as secretary of state, Cox has been able to "stay out of the direct line of partisan fire," leaving voters with a more positive view of her, Bullock said.

Cox said the poll results "show that Georgians are ready for a change in leadership and a fresh approach to solving the problems facing our state."

Cox said she plans to take a serious look at the governor's race after the current election season.

(10-19-04 ajc.)