Sen. Chuck Schumer's approval rating has dropped below 50%, his lowest number since 2001, a sign that the Democratic Party's travails are dragging down the approval of one of its most politically savvy senators. A Marist poll out today finds that 47% of registered voters say Schumer is doing an "excellent or good" job in office. "Senator Schumer is not immune from the anti-incumbent sentiment among voters, but it would take a major effort to unseat him," says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist Institute for Public Opinion, in a statement. Schumer's potential troubles are kindling the flames of a protest candidate: Larry Kudlow, the former Reagan administration economics official-turned cocaine addict-turned reformed CNBC anchor.  Earlier this week, Kudlow dined with Mike Long, the head of the Conservative Party. Long told the New York Daily News that Kudlow was "dead serious" about a run. It's not clear where Kudlow lives -- he has an apartment in New York, but he seems to spend most of his time in Connecticut.