Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley maintains his seven-point advantage over Gov. Bob Ehrlich, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports election survey. O’Malley is leading incumbent Ehrlich 49% to 42% (see crosstabs) Both candidates dropped a point since August’s survey, but the gap remains unchanged.

The race has remained quite stable over the past four surveys dating back to April.

As Maryland’s first Republican governor in 30 years, Ehrlich is fighting a distinct party enrollment disadvantage in the strongly Democratic state. However, both candidates are running near even in the likeability contest. Sixty percent (60%) say they have favorable opinions of their governor and 36% have unfavorable opinions. O’Malley earns favorable scores from 59% and unfavorable scores from 34%.

A slim plurality sees O’Malley as politically liberal (39%) while 37% say he’s a moderate. Forty-six percent (46%) of voters view Ehrlich as politically moderate while 40% say he’s a conservative.

Sixty percent (60%) of Maryland voters disapprove of President Bush’s Job Performance. O’Malley and Democratic Senate candidate Ben Cardin, who is leading in his race against Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, have seized on the president’s unpopularity and are working overtime to link their respective opponents to Bush. O’Malley has been quoted of late referring to Ehrlich as “the George Bush mini-me of Maryland” and has included photos of Ehrlich and Bush together in his recent campaign mailings.

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