Sunday, September 14, 2008

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John McCain has taken a modest lead over Barack Obama in Colorado this week. The latest Fox News/Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds the Republican on top 48% to 46% (crosstabs available for Premium Members).

A week ago, it was Obama who had a modest 49% to 46% edge in the Centennial State. The race in Colorado has been close since tracking began back in February, with the biggest advantage for either candidate being Obama’s 49% to 42% edge in July. This week’s numbers mark just the second time the Democrat has trailed in the race.

McCain is viewed favorably by 55% and unfavorably by 42%. Obama’s ratings are 52% favorable, 46% unfavorable.

Rasmussen Reports and Fox News Channel will jointly release a series battleground state polls every Monday night at 6:00 p.m. Eastern. Other polls tonight were released for Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania,and Virginia. See overview of all polling released this week.

Rasmussen Reports will release other state polling on the Presidential race weeknights at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, follows the race on a national basis and is updated every morning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern. (Sign up for a free daily e-mail update).

Rasmussen Reports will release other state polling on the Presidential race weeknights at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, follows the race on a national basis and is updated every morning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern.

The match-up is a virtual tie among voters not affiliated with either party, with Obama picking up 44% of those voters, while McCain earns 43% support. Last week, Obama had a ten-point advantage among that group. McCain leads by thirteen among men in Colorado and Obama leads by eight among women.

Overall, 48% of voters say they trust McCain more, while 46% say they trust Obama more.

Just under a third of voters in Colorado (32%) say they would be extremely comfortable with Obama as president, compared to just 24% who say that of McCain. However, as in most states, more voters (40%) say they would not be comfortable at all with Obama in the White House than those who say that about McCain (35%).

In the event of unforeseen circumstances, 31% say they would be extremely comfortable with Democratic running mate Joe Biden stepping in as President, while just 25% say that of Republican Sarah Palin. While a third (33%) say they would not be at all comfortable if Biden stepped in, 42% say the same about the Alaskan Governor.

When faced with the hardest decision of their lives, 48% of voters say they would turn to McCain for advice, while 44% would choose Obama.

Rasmussen Markets data shows that Obama is currently given a % chance of winning Colorado’s nine Electoral College votes this November. At the time this poll was released, Colorado was rated as “Toss-Up” in the Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator. NOTE: Factors other than the latest Rasmussen Reports poll impact the Balance of Power ratings. The current status is indicated on the table in the upper right corner of this article.

New polls were released last week for Missouri, Washington, Alaska, Michigan, Montana, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Idaho, New Mexico, South Dakota and North Dakota. Additional state poll results will be released at RasmussenReports.com each Monday at 6:00 p.m. Eastern and Tuesday-Friday at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll is released each morning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern. Other polling is released at 7:00 a.m., Noon, and 3:00 p.m. Eastern weekdays along with other updates as needed.

Premium Members can review full demographic crosstabs for all state polls and get the first look at all Rasmussen Reports polling data. Learn More.

Just one third of Colorado voters (33%) give President George W. Bush good or excellent ratings, while 50% say he is doing a poor job.

Governor Bill Ritter earns more positive reviews, with 44% who say the Governor is doing a good or excellent job, while 24% say he is doing a poor job.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.